News
Ejiro Umukoro Emerges Regional Winner at the Young Adult Literature Prize 2025
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.
News
Katsina Flood Sweeps Away Siblings Returning From Islamiyya School
Fighting back tears, the children’s father, Malam Salisu Arabi, described the loss as the most painful moment of his life.
Two brothers, Muhammad Salisu, 12, and Abdurrahman Salisu, 7, lost their lives after they were carried away by flood in Janbago, a community in Katsina State.
The victims, were said to be returning home from a nearby Islamiyya school when downpour, accompanied by strong winds, turned the streets into raging torrents.
The Daily Trust reported that their bodies were later recovered from different locations after frantic search efforts by residents.
The incident plunged the entire community into mourning as sympathisers thronged the family residence to console the bereaved parents.
Fighting back tears, the children’s father, Malam Salisu Arabi, described the loss as the most painful moment of his life.
“They left home that day like every other child going to Islamiyya school. I never imagined that the same rain we all witnessed would take away my two children,” he lamented.
News
An alleged fake university discover in Lagos
The university was operating from a three-bedroom apartment at Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
Photo:Students of the university during the raid by NSCDC. Credit: NSCDC
The proprietor of an alleged fake university in Lagos , has been arrested by operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDC).
The NSCDC Badagry Area Command, who enforced the arrest, said that the university was operating from a three-bedroom apartment at Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
The command also rescued 106 students of the institution from across Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.
According to the corps, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Monday following days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance by NSCDC operatives
” The suspected institution was operating without an official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus, while allegedly presenting itself online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university,”said NSCDC.
Investigations revealed that the rescued youths, mostly between the ages of 19 and 24, came from several Nigerian states, including Kogi, Oyo and some northern states. Others reportedly travelled from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Togo after being recruited online.
News
Ayo Fayose Gets Presidential Portfolio As REA Board Chairman
Fayose will head the board of REA, with Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta appointed as members and non-executive directors,” said Onanuga.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, as chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board.
The President also appointed Major General Junaid Bindawa as chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
24 others were also appointed to 10 federal government agencies and commissions.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
According to the statement, “All the appointments take immediate effect.”
“Fayose will head the board of REA, with Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta appointed as members and non-executive directors,” said Onanuga.
Katsina Flood Sweeps Away Siblings Returning From Islamiyya School
An alleged fake university discover in Lagos
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