By Fabian Ekeruche
The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) says it has launched a national Literary contest in pursuance of its mission to transform healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement signed by NSSF’s General Manager, Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, and made available on Monday in Lagos.
Chinye-Nwoko said that The “WeNaija” Literary contest titled ‘Righting our Story’ is an initiative that seeks to tell, through written content the vision of a healthier Nigeria.
“This can be expressed either as poetry, short stories, non-fiction prose or flash fiction,” Chinye-Nwoko said.
According to her, the campaign will allow the youths to be a part of something inspirational with widespread impact, while providing an avenue for empowering and up skilling the Nigerian youths.
She added that the campaign would allow for youths to build their capacity on the use of digital tools and applications for writing, editing, publishing, promotion, and skill marketing.
The GM said that the expected outcome is increased opportunities for global employment via the internet.
On what the campaign represents, the General Manager said, “The campaign will be an opportunity for Nigerian youths to express their creativity through literature on how we can achieve a healthier Nigeria through one of the following;
- Poverty alleviation in relation to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of no poverty, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing.
- Healthcare system strengthening in relation to the SDG of good health and wellbeing.
- Reskilling the workforce in relation to the SDG of quality education, decent work, and economic growth.
Chinye-Nwoko said that participants stand the chance to showcase their work at a premium book launch and win cash prizes, mentorship sessions with industry masters and internship positions.
She explained that the competition was open to all youths with creative abilities that suit the theme of the competition.
She said that like all Literature competitions, NSSF ‘Righting our Story’ seeks to precipitate and renew interest in literature.
“It will recognise and celebrate the best creatives, based on their skillset and talent, judged solely based on their interpretation of the given theme.
“The platform will equally give creatives the exposure they need to progress in their talents as their submission in the competition will be massively shared and praised both online and offline.
“Participation is free and easy. Participants are to register on the website
https://nigeriasolidarityfund.ng/literary-contest/ and post their entry.
“The rules guiding the competition are clearly stated on the website and a dedicated contact line is available for any inquiries. Our target is 1,000 entries of amazing stories from across Nigeria,” Chinye- Nwoko said
She said that the competition will run for eight weeks, while the submission of entries opens on November 1.
She said that all Submissions for the entire competition would close by 11:59 p.m on Monday December 26.
The general manager said that the top 50 finalists would win cash prizes of N50,000 each and would have their works showcased at the premium book launch that would hold in Lagos in January 2023.
“Our panel of award-winning judges will be on hand to select the top 50 finalists with the most unique works.
“These 50 finalists will win additional prizes such as getting employed into paid internship programmes and earn personalized mentorship and capacity building sessions with select industry leaders,” Chinye-Nwoko said.
She called on youths and youth groups with interest in creative writing to take advantage of the campaign to get their names and work out to the crème de la crème of the society.
She added that the funds generated through this competition and other activities would be used to up skill Nigerian youths and provide a platform for them to thrive.
