“Niyi Osundare has inspired generations of poets and redefined the possibilities of African poetry on the global stage”
NIGERIA’s preeminent poet laureate, Niyi Osundare, has been announced as recipient, of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Lagos International Poetry Festival, LIPFest.
The conferment of the award, coming in the 10th anniversary edition of the leading poetry festival in West Africa, recognises Osundare’s “extraordinary contributions to poetry in Africa and globally”, notes Efe Paul Azino , the Festival Director. “Niyi Osundare has inspired generations of poets and redefined the possibilities of African poetry on the global stage.”
“The awards will be presented at the festival’s Opening Ceremony on Thursday, October 24th, 2024, at 7 pm at the Mike Adenuga Center, Ikoyi. This marks the formal kick-off of the Festival’s 10th-anniversary edition, themed The Science of Things, running from October 24th to 27th at the Alliance Française Lagos | Mike Adenuga Centre.”
The festival director also announced the recipients of the LIPFest’s inaugural Decennial Awards, “celebrating exceptional contributions to poetry and literary arts in Africa.
There will also be Special Recognition Awards to be conferred on
- Jumoke Verissimo – Honored for her genre-defying work that continues to resonate across generations
- Sage Hasson – Recognized for his pioneering contributions to spoken word poetry in Nigeria
A statement signed by Obii Ifejika, Head of Communications, LIPFest, reads in parts:
“This year’s programming explores the intersection of poetry and scientific inquiry in an era of rapid technological advancement and social change.
Born in 2015, the Lagos International Poetry Festival has since evolved into a vital platform for artistic expression and cultural exchange and has consistently brought together diverse voices from around the world to celebrate the power of poetry, culture, and ideas.
The 2024 edition features four days of carefully curated events:
- Panel discussions exploring the confluence of poetry and science
- Poetry readings and performances
- Interactive workshops
- Art exhibitions
- Cross-disciplinary collaborations between poets, scientists, writers, and artists
The festival addresses critical contemporary issues, including:
- The role of AI in creative expression
- Climate change and sustainability
- Economic mobility and social identity
- Educational access in sub-Saharan Africa
- Censorship and the importance of plurality in voices and opportunities
Doors open at 10 AM daily at the Alliance Française Lagos | Mike Adenuga Centre. The public is invited to join this celebration of curiosity, discovery, and what Derek Walcott calls “the astonishment of the soul.”
Registration available at www.lagospoetryfestival.com/events
