soyinkaThree Heads of States have confirmed their participation for the 5th edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, sponsored by Globalcom, which is coinciding with the 80th birthday of the Nobel Laure-ate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

The three Heads of State, who have given commitment to be at the presentation of a book in honour of the Nobel Laureate three days after the announcement of the prize winner are Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame; Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; and President John Dramani Maama of Ghana. The book presentation is slated for Accra, Ghana on July 8, 2014, three days after the presentation to the prize winner on July 5, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Other distinguished individuals expected at the event include former President of the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki; former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II; and renowned Ghanaian author and former Education Minister in Ghana, Professor Ama Ata Aidoo.

The Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature is a biennial event aimed at recognising the best literary works produced by Africans. It was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 to promote literary excellence in Africa.

The organisers of the award have announced a long-list of 10 African authors from a total of 163 entries submitted from 17 African countries in the genre of drama, which is the focus of the 2014 edition.

As part of the activities to make the event, Globacom will invite some of its subscribers as Guests of Honour and subscribers are encouraged to increase the usage of airtime on the Glo network by 50 percent before June 24 and they will also receive various prizes. Entries for the drama prize were accepted from African authors of any published play or collection of plays and the works that were published within the last two years.

Culled from: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=68518