Etisalat crowns NoViolet Bulawayo winner of its Pan-African prize for Literature

Etisalat Nigeria on Sunday, February 23^rd at the Marquee, Federal Palace Victoria Island, crowned Zimbabwean writer, NoViolet Bulawayo, as winner of its pan African Prize for Literature, the first ever Prize celebrating first time writers of published fiction books. Continue...

According to the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, the Etisalat Prize for Literature was designed to recognize and reward debut writers of fiction in Africa. "As a rite of passage, published and unpublished literary works of art have been passed down from generation to generation in Africa. Etisalat Nigeria is indeed pleased to celebrate all authors in the African literary spectrum”.

Bulawayo received a £15,000 cash prize, will attend the Etisalat Fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia (and will be mentored by Giles Foden – Author of the “Last King of Scotland”), have book tours to three African cities; and most importantly, get the chance to start work on her second book.

The event also witnessed an exclusive performance by Senegalese music legend, Youssou N’Dour who entertained guests with a medley of his songs including “Redemption Song” and “7 seconds”.  The high profile event was graced by literary buffs, celebrities, high profile guests including the Director-General, of the Nigerian Tourism Corporation; Sally Mbanefo.