Events
Author of ‘The Last King of Scotland’ Giles Foden applauds 9mobile for promoting Talent Development in Africa at Ake Arts & Book Festival
L-R: Manager, High-Value Event and Sponsorships, 9mobile, Okano Ibeanu; celebrated author and 9mobile Prize for Literature winner’s mentor, Giles Foden, and Analyst, High Value Sponsorships and Events, 9mobile Omotayo Caxton-Martins, at the 2017 Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Internationally renowned novelist and author of the popular book cum movie, ‘The Last King of Scotland‘, Giles Foden, applauded 9mobile for being at the forefront of promoting talent development in Africa and expressed joy at mentoring annual winners of 9mobile’s Prize for Literature competition.
He said this at the 2017 annual Ake Arts and Book Festival. “Each year I receive with joy the winners of 9mobile Prize for Literature who as part of their winning prize, are admitted to study at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England, for mentorship, guidance and deepen their writing skills”.
“This is significant in that while readership of hard copy books might have declined globally, readership online has greatly increased with platforms such as 9mobile Prize for Literature and 9mobile Flash Fiction category, making it more exciting for people to write and read books”, he noted.
In his remarks at the festival, the Director Brand & Experience, 9mobile, Elvis Ogiemwanye who was represented by the Manager, High-Value Event and Sponsorships, Okanu Ibeanu said “9mobile, is proud to be at the forefront of promoting creativity and innovation among Nigerians and will continue to support the discovery and growth of home grown talents, by creating platforms that help African writers to tell authentic African stories. We are proud to associate with the Ake Arts and Book Festival, because of its commitment to developing, promoting and celebrating creativity on the African continent”
He revealed that the call for entries for the 2018 edition of the Prize was thrown open in August, 2017, and the grand finale event at which the winner will be announced will hold in 2nd quarter 2018.
9mobile Prize for Literature is a strategic initiative by 9mobile for encouraging reading, writing and supporting the publishing industry in Africa. It is part of the company’s commitment to develop talent in the areas of arts and literature in Africa, which identifies and celebrates first time writers of published fiction books.
L-R Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Media, Dr. Oye Olubunmi; seasoned author, Nnedi Okorafor; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo, and Manager, High-Value Event and Sponsorships, 9mobile
L-R Author, Toni Kan; best-selling author and human rights spokesperson, Ishmael Beah; past judge of the 9mobile Prize for Literature, Zukiswa Wanner, and Patron of the 9mobile Prize for Literature; Prof. Giles Fode
L-R Mrs. Fatima Abdullahi; wife of Kaduna State Governor, Mrs. Binta El-Rufai; Manager, High-Value Event and Sponsorships, 9mobile, Okanu Ibeanu, and Mrs. Ismah Abdullahi
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