In an official press release signed by Mr. Nelson Vincent Ayomitunde, the Lead Director of the New Man Movement,, via the organisatioon's website (www.thenewman.org.ng), the list of the final shortlist in the writing contest was made public.
In an interview, the president mentioned that the writing contest started the receipt of entries form November 2017 and ended in March this year with a total of 1007 entries.
The New Man Writing Contest is yearly organised for students of secondary schools in Africa in honour of H.R.M, Oba Adedokun Abolarin Omoniyi, the Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun.
According to the release, having properly selected of 1007 interesting entries in total, (314 prose works, 73 drama/short plays and 613 poems) the New Man Writing Contest 2018 published the entries, being recorded as the final shortlist.
The organisation acknowledged the fact that it was a great privilege to read through miles in the minds of the writers while mentioning that it was an uphill task in selecting the entries in the final shortlist.
At the same time, we are greatly indebted to our volunteers, imdividuals and members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), members of Poets In Nigeria (PIN), members of Creative Writers Association of Nigeria (CWAN) and other literary bodies that ensured the speedy selection of these works.
While we proceed to the final judgement stage where our diligent judges would make the top three selections, we wish all shortlisted entrants, a big congratulations and pray for all the best in this last stage.
Here is the list of the final shortlisted entries:
Poetry-
1. He who mends the world- Adeyoju Adewale Joshua
2. Afreeca- Oyindamola Deborah Tadese
3. The fall of Africa by Oladoyin Ayodeji Victor
4. I am born in a time by Olajide Rotimi Philip
5. Too Late by Christian Ofori David
6. Ajike- Lawal Tobiloba
7. Mama Africa by Olanrewaju Abdulazeez
Prose
1. Imagine by Opeyimika Aremu
2. Ifeoma by Enomah Exploit Ebubechukwu
Drama
1. Royalty and the Tyrant by Jimoh OluwaTobi
2. Is this the Harvest of Our Days? by Muhammad Aural Ibrahim
Congratulations!