BEVERLY HILLS, May 21, (THEWILL) – Nigerian writer, Jowhor Ile has been announced as the winner of the 2016 Etisalat Literature Prize at the Grand Finale in Lagos, which took place almost two months behind schedule.
His book, ‘And after Many Days’, published in Nigeria was the pick of the panel of judges, over South Africa’s Jacqui L’Ange who wrote ‘The Seed Thief’ and another Nigerian Juliet Iromuanya’s ‘Mr and Mrs Doctor.’
According to Helon Habila, Nigerian novelist and poet who chaired the panel of judges, the three writers were selected from a long list after fulfilling some criteria.
These Habila said were “in addition to originality of voice and literary excellence, our purpose was to also select a work that portrays an African sensibility”.
Other judges were South African writer/activist, Elinor Sisulu; and Ivorian writer and Africa39 laureate, Edwige Renée Dro.
As the winner, Jowhor Ile will receive £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, an Etisalat sponsored book tour to three African countries.
He will also have an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.
The other runners-up will also enjoy a sponsored multi-city book tour while Etisalat will also purchase 1,000 copies of their books for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across Africa with the objective of promoting the reading culture and the publishing industry at large.
