The Benue State Government in North Central Nigeria has announced plans to organise the maiden edition of a Book and Arts Festival as part of measures aimed at reviving the dwindling culture of reading and writing among youths in the state.
The Director General of the newly established Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency, Dr. Terna Francis said this when members of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA paid him a courtesy visit him in Makurdi, the state capital.
Dr Francis said the programme was deliberately designed as part of activities lined up to commemorate this year’s International Day of Literacy billed to hold in September.
The book and arts festival is
dedicated to two erudite scholars and renowned academic giants in the state, Professors Terhemba Shija and Vickey Mnguember Sylvester respectively.
“As part of our vision to develop the literacy and creative potentials of students in Benue State, BEQA is calling for applications into the maiden edition of the Professor Terhemba Shija poetry prizes and Professor Vickey Mnguember Sylvester short story prizes,” Dr Francis said.
He said the competition which is open to aspiring literary stars between the ages of 12 and 17 is restricted to only students residing in Benue State.
Main objective
The Director General stated that the main objective of the festival was to revive and promote the dying culture of reading and writing among students in Benue State.
He explained that part of events building up to the festival would be the inauguration in February as well as calls for entries into the Professor Terhemba Shija Poetry Prize, and Professor Mnguember Vicky Sylvester Short Story Prize.
Winners from the literary prizes ranges between N300,000, 200,000, and 100,000 for the overall winners, runners-up, and second runners-up respectively.
Dr Francis also indicated that the literary works gathered from the entrants would be used to publish an anthology that will be unveiled on the 8th day of September at the main ceremony marking the Book and Arts Festival.
The Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors in Benue State, Barrister Onwanyi Ulegede, commended the Agency for the initiative and promised to play a key role to ensure its success and sustenance.
She recalled that the Association had made similar efforts in the past to promote the culture of reading among Benue people but could not record much success due to lack of interest for the previous administrations.
Mrs. Ulegede particularly praised the choice of Professors Terhemba Shija and Vickey Mnguember Sylvester, describing them as ‘exemplary scholars whose academic track records were worthy of commendation and emulation.’
She appealed to the Agency for involvement of state and national officials and members of ANA on the organising Committee and to also serve on the panel of judges during the book and arts festival.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
