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Ejiro Umukoro Emerges Regional Winner at the Young Adult Literature Prize 2025

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The Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) 2025 has unveiled the regional finalists from a staggering 106 entries, showcasing the best of Nigeria’s emerging literary talent.

Among the standout authors is Ejiro Umukoro, whose thought-provoking novel, “The Distortion of Hardassah,” has been selected as the South South regional finalist.

This prestigious recognition is a testament to Umukoro’s exceptional storytelling skills and solidifies her position as a rising star in African literature.

“The Distortion of Hardassah” is a gripping narrative that follows the journey of eleven young adults across Nigeria as they navigate the complexities of identity, acceptance, and opportunity.

Umukoro’s debut novel, “Distortion,” was a groundbreaking fiction mental health true crime novel that garnered widespread critical acclaim.

The book’s impact extends beyond the literary world, having been approved by the Ministry of Education, Delta State, as a literature textbook for secondary schools.

It was also selected as the Book of Discussion on World Press Freedom Day by the United States Agency for Global Media in 2024.

The novel’s influence is evident in its selection for the Lagos Arts and Book Festival’s CORA Book Trek, which aims to promote literacy and a love of reading among secondary school students.

“Distortion” has received glowing reviews from prominent media outlets, including BusinessDay, News Central, Arise News, TVC, Trust TV, and The Guardian, with mention by the Pulitzer Centre.

Jerry Adesewo, representing TYBLI, congratulated the regional finalists, saying, “We are delighted to announce the regional finalists of the Young Adult Literature Prize 2025.

We received an overwhelming response from talented writers across the country, and the quality of submissions was exceptional.”

Umukoro expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “This literary honour is indeed an exciting news to wrap the year. It gives me great joy to be selected on the longlist of Young Adult Literature Price (YALP) 2025.”

The regional winners will receive a cash prize of N500,000 each, with the overall winner taking home a whopping N1,500,000 and a publishing deal.

The YALP 2025 competition aims to encourage young adult writers to keep writing, learning, and dreaming, providing a platform for emerging writers to showcase their talent and gain recognition in the literary world.

The other regional finalists include:

  • Ikemefuna Chinenyike Lawrence Ezemagu – Garden of Garget (South East)
  • Sarah Yousuph – When the Road Curves (South West)
  • Adoo Gyuur – Daughters of Ashes (North Central)
  • Daniel Yohanna – A Boy From Far North (North East)
  • Yusrah Bashir Gaga – My Darkest Nightmares (North West)

The Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) is an annual literary competition that recognizes and celebrates outstanding young adult writers in Nigeria, promoting creative writing, encouraging literary excellence, and providing a platform for emerging writers to gain recognition.

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Police must pay transport fares, says AIG

” No police officer has the right to enter your vehicle without paying. We should assist one another willingly, not by force,” he said.

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The Assistant Inspector-General of Police(AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, speaking with transporters at Obalende garage, Lagos State, on Wednesday.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has declared that officers must pay fares before boarding commercial vehicles, warning against abuse of authority.

Jimoh spoke on Wednesday at Obalende garage during a sensitisation meeting with drivers and transport workers marking National Police Day 2026.

He stressed that relations between police and the public must be based on partnership, not coercion, urging both sides to support each other voluntarily.

“No police officer has the right to enter your vehicle without paying. We should assist one another willingly, not by force,” he said.

Jimoh called for stronger cooperation to maintain safety and order on roads, insisting there was no conflict between officers and transport unions.

“I don’t collect money from officers. We don’t arrest people arbitrarily. If you have issues with any officer, report directly to me,” he said.

(Vanguard)

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Tinubu scurries to Jos after Mutfwang’s security brief

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will leave for Jos tomorrow to commiserate with the state government and residents over recent deadly gun attacks that lefts dozens dead.

This was following Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s security briefing to the President on the recent violent attack in Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State.

During the meeting on Wednesday at the presidential villa in Abuja, Governor Caleb Mutfwang told Mr President that although security forces have restored calm after fresh disturbances involving looters on Wednesday morning, following the deadly Palm Sunday attack that left more than a dozen dead and many others injured.

He said that investigations are continuing to determine the identities or motives of the attackers who are yet to be apprehended .

Presidency source said that President Tinubu was initially scheduled for a planned trip to Ogun State to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport on Thursday.

From Jos, the President will travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday.

On Saturday, April 4, he will visit Ogun State to commission projects including the cargo airport.

He will then return to Lagos during the Easter holiday to commission several state infrastructure projects, including the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge.

Before heading back to Abuja, the president will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission projects completed under Governor Duoye Diri.

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JUST IN: Tinubu Heads to Jos Tomorrow, Postpones Ogun Trip for 5-State Visits

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will tomorrow embark on a visit to Jos, Plateau State, as the first leg of a five-state tour across the country.

The Presidency announced that the President has postponed his scheduled trip to Ogun State to enable him to commence the series of official visits.

Details of the remaining four states in the tour are expected to be released by the Presidency in due course.

The development comes as President Tinubu continues nationwide engagements aimed at assessing development projects, interacting with stakeholders, and addressing key national issues in the respective states.

Further updates on the itinerary will be communicated as the visits progress.

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