By Eseoghene Emuke
Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, congratulated Othuke Umukoro, winner of the 2021 edition of the globally recognised Brunel International African Poetry Prize.
Umukoro, a graduate of University of Ibadan, hails from Olomoro in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta.
The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said Deltans and the State Government is delighted with Othuke’s accomplishment.
Okowa said the budding poet is not only a teacher but an emerging Nigeria’s export to the global literary community.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Mr Othuke Umukoro for winning the $3,000-Brunel International African Poetry Prize 2021.
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“As a state, we are particularly proud of your great accomplishment and it is our prayer that you work harder to win more laurels in the near future.
“We also pray that you will be a good model to young people in our State, and that you spare some time to mentor those that your attainment will inspire,” Okowa said.
Umukoro was chosen from a shortlist of eight poets, including Gambia’s Kweku Abimbola, Uganda’s Arao Ameny, South Africa’s Isabelle Baafi, Somalia’s Asmaa Jama, Lesotho’s Tumello Motabola and compatriots – Oluwadare Popoola and Yomi Sode.
Founded by Booker Prize winner Bernadine Evaristo in 2012, more than 1,000 people entered the eighth Brunel University London-backed contest – the world’s biggest cash prize for African poetry aimed at developing, celebrating and promoting Africa’s poetry.
