This is a placeholder to sing the praises of three of my Ghanaian pals, literary stars and poets – Henneh Kwaku Kyereh, Elizabeth Johnson and Emma Ofosua. At the last Lagos International Poetry Festival, they shone bright, with Henneh and Elizabeth moderating fine sessions while Emma blazed the stage with extempore poems. There was a … Continue reading MY FRIENDS, HENNEH KWAKU KYEREH, EMMA OFOSUA AND ELIZABETH JOHNSON
by S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema The Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) has today released her poetry prize longlist in four categories (English, Arabic, French and Kiswahili). The signed release by the Association’s Secretary General, Dr. Wale Okediran, shows a total of fifty-three longlisted entrants, with fifteen in each category, except for Kiswahili with eight entries. … Continue reading PAN AFRICAN WRITERS ASSOCIATION RELEASES POETRY LONGLIST WITH NIGERIAN ALL-STAR CAST FEATURING DENJA ABDULLAHI, TANURE OJAIDE, SERVIO GBADAMOSI, OBARI GOMBA, ONYEKA NWELUE, ECHE NDUKA AND OLUMIDE OLANIYAN
This is awesome news for Niyi Osundare’s fans: he has a new book out in January 2022. Yaaaaay! Titled Green: Sighs of our Ailing Planet, the collection is an urgent collection of necessity born out of the poet’s need to speak to issues that plague the world. The overview of the book on Barnes and Noble notes that it “is a critical pastoral of poems concerning the environment aroudn the world, from place to place…a book relevant and hopeful for people to stop and reflect on the endangered beauty of all of nature.”
Continue reading “Niyi Osundare’s new book ‘Green: Sighs of our Ailing Planet’ debuts January 2022”
I found this poem somewhere on my system from many years ago. I think it was a test from one of our English lessons, maybe Introduction to Creative Writing II or Poetry or something. I do remember the course lecturer though, (now Professor) Moses Tsenongu, himself a poet that we looked up to, a past Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (Benue State Chapter), a position I would eventually come to occupy years later.
It was one of my first less playful poems. The assignment was to write a Valentine poem. Some of my friends asked me how I would conjure one up, since I was not in any relationship. They had healthy laughs at me. Well, I smiled and put on my imaginative hat.
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR SEVHAGE LITERARY PRIZES 2019
SEVHAGE Publishers and SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative present the SEVHAGE Literary Prizes 2019 in the categories of short stories, poetry and creative non-fiction.
Submission Dates: 11th May 2019 to 26th May 2019 [23:58 GMT] LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
Shortlist Announced: 11th June, 2019
Winners Announced: 22nd June, 2019 at the Benue Book and Arts Festival (Presented by SEVHAGE)
SUBMISSION: Online via email to sevhageprizes@gmail.com and copied to sevhage@gmail.com
ENTRY F(R)EE FOR ALL CATEGORIES: Free!
Continue reading “CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SEVHAGE LITERARY PRIZES 2019”
The York Literature Festival / YorkMix Poetry Competition 2019 is open and for the first time since the competition started seven years ago, international entries will be accepted! The deadline is February 24th 2019.
The sands of Mbanor kiss my feet As my eyes behold mounds of my past Thinking of my present as I bury the future I am at a door in my head Yesterday a lasting now Where my will fights convention Rather than strike at folly I let my rod slip and take a feather … Continue reading I STAND BEFORE THE EARTH (A Father’s Poem) by Su’eddie Vershima Agema
Title: Promises on Sand Author: Amina Aboje Publisher: Kraft Books Year of Publication: 2017 Number of Pages: 87 Category: Poetry Reviewer: Paul Sawa Although I write the occasional poem, I do not see myself as a poet. Avid reader that I am, however, I consider myself … Continue reading Unalloyed and Revitalizing: Thoughts on Amina Aboje’s ‘Promises on Sand’
The Abuja Writers’ Forum, one of Nigeria’s premier literary organisation is set to host Dul Johnson, incredible writer, scholar and film maker alongside poet Jide Badmus and the sensational musician, Austine Oroko. If you are in Abuja, do make out time to go to Nanet Suites (beside Bayelsa House, down the road from Federal Secretariat) … Continue reading ABUJA WRITERS’ FORUM HOSTS SEVHAGE AUTHOR, DUL JOHNSON; JIDE BADMUS AND AUSTINE OROKO ON 29TH APRIL 2017
Poetry is hope; hope is life; something beautiful. If you would listen, it is a promise. If you would listen, quietly and get those codes that gently unveil themselves to us like dawn unfolds to day; like the caterpillar to a butterfly. It is the look of waters – on a cloudy night; wait a … Continue reading The Definition of Hope
Su'eddie in Life n' Literature 