The Pius Oleghe Poetry and Literary Awards (POPALS) has announced the winners of its maiden edition, capping off a rigorous adjudication process led by an independent panel of judges.
The competition, themed “Nigeria of Our Dreams,” drew entries from young and emerging poets across the country, with organisers describing the submissions as a testament to the depth of literary talent among Nigeria’s next generation of writers.
Uzoigwe Miracle took top honours in the Young Voices category, open to poets aged 12 to 17, with judges citing exceptional creativity and poetic craftsmanship in her winning entry. In the Emerging Poets category, for writers aged 18 to 35, Aremu Goodness Adejare was named winner, recognised for artistic excellence and a thoughtful engagement with the competition’s theme.
Beyond the two category winners, POPALS confirmed that shortlisted poems from the competition will be compiled into the inaugural Pius Oleghe Poetry Prize Anthology, preserving a wider selection of standout works from the prize’s first year.
In a statement, the Organising Committee praised the overall response to the competition, noting that the volume and quality of entries reaffirmed poetry’s continuing role as a vehicle for imagination and national reflection. The Committee also thanked the panel of judges for what it called their professionalism and integrity throughout the selection process.
Organisers said the prize’s inaugural run marks the beginning of a broader effort to discover and nurture literary talent, with plans to expand opportunities for emerging writers to reach audiences across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
The announcement was signed by Prof. Remi Raji and Nnamdi Okose, both serving as Literary Directors of the Pius Oleghe Poetry Prize.
