Glo Sponsors Soyinka Prize for Literature

The Wole Soyinka Prize for literature in Africa has received a major boost as Nigerian telecommunications company, Globacom Limited, partners it in executing the fourth edition of the prize.

This was disclosed at a press conference organised by the Lumina Foundation, which has administered the prize as a sole administrator since 2005.  Briefing newsmen at the parley which held at the Lagos Boat Club in Ikoyi , Lagos, the Chairperson of the foundation, Mrs. Francesca Emanuel said the foundation was privileged to have Globacom as partners.

“Globacom’s huge financial support admirably demonstrates corporate citizenship, a Nigerian ethos and an African outlook. Together, in appreciating our authors, we appreciate ourselves better as Aficans. In exploring the themes, issues and topics raised by these artists, we ennoble and educate ourselves and make ourselves better heard,” she said.

Mrs. Emanuel also said the prize which is worth $20,000, will take a new dimension in 2014 as the prize will no longer be an omnibus award, but will be awarded in rotation through the following genres: published prose, drama, poetry and essays.

The Director of Events and sponsorship, Globacom, Mr. Bode Opeseitan said the partnership between Globacom and Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa was geared towards providing informative entertainment and create avenues for literary performances, in addition to improving the reading culture and the quality of books produced across Africa.

“We believe that successful partnership between Wole Soyinka’s Prize for Literature in Africa and Globacom will see the emergence of more Soyinkas and others in the nearest future, thus fulfilling the objective of the project which is to discover, recognise and reward the best work produced by an African,” Opeseitan said.  The Chief Executive Officer of Lumina Foundation, Dr. Promise Okekwe commended the media for the support it has given the foundation since inception. She also presented the 15 authors and their titles on this year’s long list.

—Nehru Odeh