Khadijat Sunmola has emerged the winner of the OAU Inaugural Poetry Competition, 2023 which was held at the SUB TV room on the 2nd of July, 2023.
The 200 Level undergraduate of Soil Science And Land Resources at the Obafemi Awolowo University bested 15 other contestants at the festival’s spoken word contest to take home the legacy award; while Olaitan Joy placed second at the contest.
Evaluated based on their message, use of words, performance skills, timing, and delivery, the jury comprising of Spoken Word artiste and multiple poetry slam Champion, Tobi Abiodun; Linguist and winner of UNILORIN Students Union Writers Competition, Abdulkareem Abdulkareem, and Winner of the 2021 Salt Nation Prize, Flourish Joshua, judged participants based on the cohesiveness of their poems, their articulation, timing, and delivery. The first round was conducted online with a total of 68 entries. However, only 15 poets made it beyond the online qualification stage.
The second round saw 15 artistes, Odunjo Azeez, Rhoda Adegboyega, John Adeyeye, Olatung David, Oluwatoyin Ajayi, Khadijat Sunmola, Akanni Godspraine, Oluwabamise Jegede, Oluwatunmise Alademerin, Olaitan Joy, Olagunju Olamiposi, Bushrah Sodamade, John Agbaya, Oyeladun Peace and Odediran Olamide make a strong start.
After a fierce battle of words between the contestants, only six of them could make it to the final round. The contestants who made it to the final lap were; Oluwabamise Jegede with 18 of 30 points, John Agbeyo with 18.5points, Olagunju Olamiposi with 20.5points, Olaitan Joy with 23points, Khadijat Sunmola with 24 points, Oluwatunmise Alademerin with 25points.
The six contestants locked horns at the final round of the contest with three minutes given to each poet to perform the poem submitted during the online qualification stage. At the end of the heated battle, Khadijat Sumola came out as the victor and was declared the New OAU Inaugural Poet.
Tobi Abiodun while addressing the contestants encouraged them to keep the fire burning as he could notice the potential in all of them. He also declared his willingness to assist the poets in their growth process and offered to conduct online classes or if invited, teach them the rudiments of spoken words.
The convener, M.Y Alli, took her time to appreciate her team, the judges, the OAU Students Union Electoral Committee, the volunteers, and every attendee. She reiterated that the event would not be possible without their support.
Post a Comment