For his contribution to literary development, especially in Nigeria, Professor Ladipo Ayo Banjo got a wonderful 80th birthday gift from Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited recently.
L-R: Kudo Eresia-Eke, GM External Relations at Nigeria LNG (NLNG); Prof Jerry Agada, Professor Femi Osofisan; Prof Ayo Banjo; Prof J.P. Clark and Babs Omotowa, MD/CEO NLNG at the “An Evening with Ayo Banjo” event, hosted by NLNG honour of Prof Banjo on his 80th birthday in Lagos.
The academic and literary critic, who joined octogenarians this year, brought together a smattering of family members, friends and colleagues at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, for the event.
“He’s an active man and has long maintained an active lifestyle over the years. We, his family and friends, are still waiting to see if turning 80 will slow him down a bit, although I doubt it,” said Gboyega Banjo, his younger brother, describing the former vice chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), as “extremely loyal to his family and circle of friends”.
NLNG’s relationship with the emeritus professor dates back over a decade when the company established its signature prizes, ‘The Nigeria Prize for Literature’ and ‘The Nigeria Prize for Science’.
After extensive consultations with Nigeria’s literati and the academia, Professor Banjo was selected as a member of the literary committee for the prize, which is tasked with establishing the rigorous standard that is now the hallmark of the award.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science, each carry a monetary reward of $100,000 increasing over the years from an initial $20,000 when it was first instituted in 2004.
Banjo is currently the chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize for Literature, which rotates yearly among four literary genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. This year’s prize is for drama.
From a total of 124 entries submitted this year, the board has announced its initial shortlist of 11 works.
Traditionally, this first shortlist will be further whittled down to three works from which a winner may likely emerge in October.
