Unilorin alumnus emerges Nigerian Poet of Year 2021

The Kwara State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors has honoured Dr. Kehinde Akano, an alumnus of the University of Ilorin, for winning the 2021 ANA national prize for poetry.

Opeyemi Babayemi, the Chairman of the association, said on Monday at a reception for Akano in Ilorin that the award was a great honour to Akano’s family, his place of work, state and the university.

Akano won 2021 prize with his collection: “Emirate Blues and Home Resistance.”

According to Babayemi, the awardee won the Poetry Prize years after another alumnus, Dr. Usman Akanbi of the Faculty of Agriculture, Unilorin, won the runner-up poetry prize with his collection: “Verdant Verses,” at the 2009 edition.

Speaking also, Abdulateef Lanre, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kwara State Council, commended the poet “for his many very brilliant works over the years”.

Dr. Damilare Atolagbe, Lecturer, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at Unilorin, in his presentation, said that writers in different areas of specialisation were crucial to nation building.

Speaking on the theme: “The Importance of Writers to Nation Building,” Atolagbe said that Akano’s works distinguished him as a scholar and practitioner dedicated to nation building.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the award was conferred on Akano, who also emerged as the runner-up in the drama category, titled: “Fajepolobi,” at the annual awards held at Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Abuja.

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