Winners have emerged at the second yearly poetry challenge of Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), designed to promote reading culture and inspire hope among Nigerian students.

Bernard Nweke, an undergraduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa (NAU), Anambra State, emerged the overall winner, while Chinaza James-Ibe,and Russell Ndoboke from Niger Delta University (NDU) emerged first and second runners up, respectively.

Chinecherem Enujioke of NAU and Chimeze Umeoka of University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN), emerged fourth and fifth,, respectively.

For his performance, Nweke was rewarded with a cash price of N250,000; Ibe N150,000 and Ndoboke N100,000, while the duo of Enujioke and Umeoka, went home with N50,000 each.
Esiri noted that the theme: ‘Togetherness’, was chosen to reflect on the present challenges, and encourage an exploration of the strength, optimisn, resilience and perseverance of the human spirit.

Addressing reporters at the Ikoyi, Lagos office, of ZODML, Esiri said about 1,445 entries were received from 120 tertiary institutions across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The figure, Esiri added, represented an increase against last year’s 791 entries from 96 institutions across 34 states.

Esiri said the organisation is focused on getting young Nigerians to embrace reading.
“We decided to have a poetry challenge because we felt it was both tasking and expressive. The challenge will improve students’ competence and confidence, while reawakening their creative minds,” she stated.

Esiri also highlighted the need for collaboration to establish more libraries and address the poor reading culture in Nigeria, reinforcing ZODML’s dedication to cultivating literacy and intellectual growth among the country’s youth.