Jude Idada has won the 2019 Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Prize for Literature, for his book; “Boom, Boom.”
Founded in 2004, the NLNG Prize for Literature honours great literary works by Nigerian writers, irrespective of their place of residence. It rotates around four genres: fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature, repeating the cycle every four years. The Literary Criticism Award valued at one million naira was added this year.
Valued at $100,000, the NLNG Prize for Literature is easily the richest prize in Africa.
The author had this to say concerning the prize; “This award is for everyone; the last three finalists, the 12-year-old girl that was also a contender and one of those cheering me all the way. We will keep winning.”
Previous winners of this prestigious award are; Soji Cole “Embers,” (2018 – Drama), Ikeogu Oke “The Heresiad,” (2017 – Poetry), Abubakar Adam Ibrahim “Seaon of Crimson Blossom,” (2016 – Prose), Sam Ukala “Iredi War,” (2014 – Drama), Tade Ipadeola “The Sahara Testaments,” (Poetry – 2013), Chika Unigwe “On Black Sister’s Street,” (2012 – Prose), Adeleke Adeyemi “The Missing Clock,” (2011 – Children’s Literature), Esiaba Irobi “Cemetry Road,” (2010 – Drama, posthumous award), Kaine Agary “Yellow Yellow,” (2008 – Prose), Mabel Segun “Readers’ Theatre: Twelve Plays for Young People,” (2007 – Children’s literature, shared prize), Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo “My Cousin Sammy,” (2007 – Children’s literature, shared prize), Ahmed Yerima “Hard Ground,” (2006 – Drama), Gabriel Okara “The Dreamer: His Vision,” (2005 – Poetry, shared prize) and, Ezenwa Ohaeto “Chants of Minstrel,” (2005 – Poetry, shared prize).