The Caine Prize IS NOT the arbiter for African Writing. Prestigious as it is, it is NOTHING BUT a prize. And, like any prize, entering or not entering it IS NOT the be-all-and-end-all of things. It is not the Holy Grail. I know a number of competent Nigerian writers who have never entered for it, and who have no intention of ever entering for it. My oga, Ahmed Maiwada, is a good example of this. Ditto several others. So, abeg, the fact that no Nigerian was nominated this year DOES NOT IN ANY WAY mean that the quality of Nigerian writing has fallen. It is but a prize, like any other, albeit more prestigious than many. Spare us the cackles. Even the almighty Nobel Prize is also a prize. We have had authors who have renounced the prize when being given it. Jean-Paul Sartre is a well-known case in point. So, abeg, spare us the cackles. Let us celebrate with those who were nominated. And let us not be greedy. Featuring annually on the nominations-list IS NOT the birthright of Nigerians. Last year, we were lucky to have four of our brethren there. But it does not mean there must be a Nigerian there every year. Selah. *reaches for another well-garnished piece of nkwobi - life is good. LG things*
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 19:26:14 +0000
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