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The late poet and
dramatist, Esiaba Irobi, is among 11 writers that have made the initial
shortlist of the 2010 NLNG Prize for Literature.

Irobi, author of
poetry collections including ‘The Colour of Rusting Gold’, ‘Hangmen
Also Die’, ‘Inflorescence: Selected Poems, 1977- 1988′; ‘Nwokedi: A
Play’, and ‘Why I Don’t Like Philip Larkin’ made the list with his
‘Cemetery Road’.

The play had
previously won the World Drama Trust Award for Playwriting in 1992.
Irobi will be following the footsteps of late poet, Ezenwa Ohaeto, who
shared the prize in 2005 with Gabriel Okara if he eventually wins.
Irobi died on Monday, May 3, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.

Also on the list,
which contains eminent Nigerian dramatists, is Ahmed Yerima, former
Director General of the National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria,
and a past winner of the Prize. He won the 2006 edition of the Prize,
which is also for drama like this year’s with ‘Hard Ground’.

Renowned
playwright, Akinwumi Isola, is also on the list released by the judges
after five months of assessment of entries. His ‘Belly Bellows’ is
nominated. Other works on the list are ‘The Killing Swamp’ by former
Managing Director of Daily Times of Nigeria, Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo;
‘Perfect Mothers’ by Uduak Akpabio; ‘Leopard Woman’ by Philip Begho,
who is also a past nominee; and ‘Ata Igala The Great’ by Emmy Unuja
Idegu.

The others are
Zaynabu Jallo’s ‘Onions Make us Cry’; Ziky Kofoworola’s ‘Queen
Ghasengeh’; Irene Salami-Agunloye’s ‘Idia, The Warrior Queen of Benin’
and Uwem Udoko’s ‘Broken Pots’.

Members of the
Literature Prize Committee, led by its chair, Theo Vincent, will hold a
press conference on August 11 at Oceanview Restaurant, Victoria Island,
Lagos, at 10am to apprise the public on developments with the Prize.
Other members of the committee are Ayo Banjo, Charles Nnolim, Phebean
Ogundipe, Munzali Jibril, Dan Izevbaye, Zaynab Alkali, Rasheed
Abubakar, Ben Tomoloju, Abubakar Gimba and Joop Berkhout.

Judges who screened
the about 92 entries received for this year’s prize, which is for
drama, were theatre scholars, Dapo Adelugba, Kalu Uka, John Illah,
Tanimu Abubakar and Mary Kolawole. The Prize rotates annually amongst
prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature.

The winner of the Prize will be announced on October 9, 2010 at the
Grand Award Night holding in Lagos. Managing Director of the NLNG,
Chima Ibeneche, will deliver the keynote address at the occasion while
veteran Nollywood actor, Sam Loco Efe, will be the special guest of
honour.