TY Buratai Initiative Awards N2.5m in Young Adult Literature Competition

The TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has awarded N2.5 million to winners of the 2024 Young Adult Literature competition, recognizing outstanding literary talent across Nigeria.

The awards ceremony, held at the Tukur Buratai Research Centre on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, brought together distinguished guests from the military, literary, and arts communities. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six zonal winners received N250,000 each, while the overall winner, Toafeek Olatunbosun, was awarded N1 million for his work “Truth and Dare.”

Retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chairman of TYBLI, shared that his passion for literature, rooted in his school days as a member of drama and debate clubs, inspired the creation of the initiative. “I have so many poems from those days, focusing not just on love but on nature as well. Writing enhances knowledge and communication skills, which is crucial for leaders,” Buratai said. He emphasized the importance of documenting thoughts for societal benefit.

Dr. Lizi Ben-Iheanacho, Chairperson of TYBLI, highlighted the initiative’s library book project for secondary schools in Abuja and Mararaba, Nasarawa State, and called for further support to expand the program nationwide. She noted that 50 entries were submitted, including one from Kenya, with 45 qualifying for the competition.

Mr. Jerry Adesewo, Secretary of TYBLI, urged stakeholders to support the initiative’s growth, while Hajiya Hauwa Aliyu, CEO of Adams Page Bookstore, encouraged participants to continue pursuing their passion for literature.

Zonal winners included Sima Essien (“Dreamwalker”) from South-South, Hajarah Bashar (“Portraiture of a Dreamer”) from North-Central, Yohanna Daniel (“The Northern Boy”) from North-East, Michael Igbonekwu (“Mysteries of the Haunted House”) from South-East, and Bilqisa Abubakar (“The Last Sacrifice”) from North-West.