In a time when poetry continues to serve as a powerful tool for reflection, healing, and resistance, the Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize (EOPP) stands as a beacon for Nigeria’s vibrant literary voices. After a rigorous review process, we are proud to unveil the winners of the EOPP 2024. They emerged from a pool of deeply moving, thought-provoking submissions that explored themes of identity, nationhood, memory, pain, and hope.
Michael Agunbiade has been named the Winner of the 2024 Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize (EOPP) for his poem “Exodus”—a stunning meditation on departure, belonging, and the emotional weight of escape. The 1st Runner-up position goes to Ehiorobo Derek for his evocative piece, “Flower Poem”, while Eliongema Udofia claims the 2nd Runner-up spot with the poignant “Every Hour, A Body Arrives The Headline”, a timely reflection on loss and visibility in contemporary society.
About The Winning Poems
- Exodus by Michael Agunbiade: This poem is a raw and visceral expression of the speaker’s desire to flee their country due to pervasive violence and loss of life. Through stark imagery of gun violence, death, and societal unrest (referencing events like the Lekki toll gate shooting and church attacks), the speaker conveys a sense of profound disillusionment and the feeling that their homeland is not a safe or nurturing place but rather a cycle of living and dying.
- Flower Poem by Ehiorobo Derek: Inspired by Hanif Abdurraqib, this poem explores how personal trauma and the violence witnessed in the speaker’s environment have warped their perception of beauty. Flowers, traditionally symbols of joy and life, become associated with death, bloodshed, and mourning. The poem also touches on the theme of societal mislabeling and the struggle to define oneself against the harsh realities of the world.
- Every Hour, A Body Arrives The Headline by Eliongema Udofia: This powerful poem confronts the constant barrage of news reporting violent deaths in Nigeria. Through fragmented narratives and direct address to God, the speaker grapples with the normalization of tragedy, the dehumanization of victims through social media, and the pervasive fear of becoming the next headline. The poem is a lament, questioning divine intervention and expressing a desperate yearning for safety and an end to the relentless violence.
Other poems in the EOPP 2024 top 10 shortlist are “A Poem In Which I’m A Matador” by Nweke Benard Okechukwu, “Here, Even Gravity Isn’t Spared From Gunshots” by Adamu Yahuza Abdullahi, “Roots” by Pacella Chukwuma-Eke, “Benediction For Rage” by Adesiyan Oluwapelumi, “Understanding The Arbitrariness Of Things” by Rasheed Ayinla Shehu, “A Country That Carries Its Dead Like Firewood” by Oladosu Michael Emerald, and “Fervent Prayers” by Igbokwe Roseline.
A Glimpse into the Winning Voices
- Michael Agunbiade, the 2024 EOPP winner, is a young Nigerian poet who writes from the small hole of his room. His works have appeared or are forthcoming in Afrimag, Brittle Paper, Bodega, The Shore Poetry, Writer Space Africa, Kalahari Review, and elsewhere. His winning poem, “Exodus”, is a lyrical journey of dislocation and longing, echoing with both urgency and grace.
- Ehiorobo Derek, 1st Runner-up, is a Nigerian writer, poet, and spoken word artist whose work has featured in Praxis, Liquid Imagination, and the How to Fall in Love anthologies. A co-winner of the 2024 Evaristo Prize for Poetry, Derek continues to push the boundaries of language and performance. You can connect with him on Instagram @derekimagines.
- Eliongema Udofia, 2nd Runner-up, is a Nigerian poet inspired by dogs, music, and art. A published writer and literary award recipient, he channels his musings and messages through impactful poetry. Follow his creative journey on Twitter @eliongema1753.
Together, they share a thrilling N100,000 cash prize, their verses echoing through the Nigerian literary landscape:
First Place: ₦50,000 cash
Second Place: ₦30,000 cash
Third Place: ₦20,000
The winning poems, along with 24 other selected entries, are published in the EOPP 2024 anthology, titled “Exodus” after the winning poem. Download it for free and immerse yourself in the diverse voices and collective heartbeat of Nigerian poetry.
For further information about the EOPP: Visit https://authorpedia.net/csr/eopp/
