AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SPOKEN WORDS CONTEST UNVEILS SHORTLIST
Wole Adedoyin, the African Director of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM), has announced the shortlist for the African Human Rights Spoken Words Contest. IHRAM organized the contest to provide a platform for performance poets across Africa to creatively express their perspectives on crucial human rights issues.
The shortlist features outstanding entries selected from over thirty longlisted submissions received from eight countries, including Cameroon, Liberia, the UK, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya, the US, and Malawi.
Winners of the African Human Rights Spoken Words Contest will be unveiled on November 25, 2023. In a commitment to fostering a more just and equitable society, the contest offers attractive prizes for exceptional contributions. The first-place winner will receive $100, the second-place winner $75, and the third-place winner $50. Additionally, five honorable mentions will be acknowledged for their exceptional submissions.
Outstanding entries will take center stage at the prestigious International Human Rights Art Festival, scheduled for December 4th to 10th, 2023. These thought-provoking pieces will be showcased, celebrating the impactful role of spoken word in advocating for human rights and fostering positive change.
The final judging and selection of winners will be conducted by Tom Block, the founder and Executive Director of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM). Tom, a playwright, author of five books, and a visual artist with over 20 years of experience, has exhibited his artwork and shared his ideas globally.
Below is the complete shortlist of the African Human Rights Spoken Words Contest:
1. Tresh Cobhams Segun – Nigeria
2. Othman Amina - Nigeria
3. Nguyen Duy Uyen – Vietnam
4. Kehinde Adedeji – Nigeria
5. Gugulethu Matshazi Dube – Zimbabwe
6. Franklin Ifeanyi Diala - Nigeria
7. Ernest Emeka Mbachu – Nigeria
8. Enujioke Chinecherem Veronica – Nigeria
9. Divinefavour Ndada – Nigeria
10. Chanjoh Rexson Ngong - Cameroon
11. Chidinma Lilian Etoliu - Nigeria
12. Chukwu Chisom Lorretta – Nigeria
13. Adetola Eyimofe Jerry-Adesewo – Nigeria
14. Tiawanlyn G. Godwin-Akpan - Liberia
15. Lillian Sheridan Jenda - Malawi
16. Jon Kote - Nigeria
17. RichiePoet the Artist
The African Human Rights Spoken Words Contest is an initiative of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM), USA, aimed at providing a platform for performance poets across the African continent to creatively express their perspectives on critical human rights issues.