Dr Rueben Kehinde Akano, a lecturer at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has won the 2021 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Poetry Prize.
He was declared a joint winner of the prize at the Dinner/Award night of the 40th Anniversary of the Association tagged “Chinua Achebe at 40” held on Saturday, 6th of November, 2021 at the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village in Mpape, Abuja.
Dr Akano beats nine other shortlisted authors such as the widely travelled Onyeka Nwelue, Saviour Gbadamosi, among others to jointly win this year's ANA poetry prize with his book, “Emirates Blues and Home Resistance”.
Also, his drama book, “Pajepolobi” became the 2nd runner up for the prestigious ANA Prize for Drama, 2021.
FACTUAL NAIJA NEWS gathered that this is the first time a writer and a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors in Kwara state will be winning the ANA Literary prize.
ANA 2021 POETRY PRIZE SHORTLIST
- Nka by Nwachukwu Egbunike
- Turns of Thoughts by Andrew Bula
- Rumbling Sky by Stephen Kekeghe
- An Angel on the Piano by Onyeke Nwelue
- Let Me Die Another Day by Regina Achie- Nege
- Emirate Blues and Home Resistance by Kehinde Akano
- Slit Drum and Metal Gong by Onyebuchi Nwosu
- A Spring of Longings by Davidson Chimezie Iwunzu
- Where the Light Enters You by Saviour Gbadamosi
- The Road from Chibok to Dapchi by Mohammad Alwali Kazir
ANA 2021 DRAMA PRIZE SHORTLIST
- Homecoming by Chetachi Igbokwe
- The Mudskippers by Peter Omoko
- Pajepolobi by Kehinde Akano