Associate Dean of Humanities at the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, Dr Obari Gomba has won the NLNG’s Nigeria Prize for Literature 2023.
The poet and playwright, who teaches literature and creative writing at UNIPORT, won with his drama book, Grit.
Gomba was named winner on Friday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
He emerged from 145 entries, 11 longlist and later three shortlist, beating two other playwrights — Abideen Ojomu (Ojuelegba Crossroads) and Henry Akubuiro (Yamtarawala – The Warrior King).
With his victory, which is coming after five attempts at the prize, Gomba takes home $100,000 grand prize.
In his acceptance speech, Gomba commended the NLNG for the prize platform, which he said has positively impacted Nigerian literature and creative industry at large, while commending other two contestants, who he described as winners too.