Winners have emerged in the 9th Korea-Nigeria Poetry Feast organised by the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) held in Abuja.
The adult category saw a total of 51 entries in which Silas Sharamang emerged winner with the poem ‘Blessings’ and got a cash prize of ₦100,000.
King-David Chisom emerged first runner up with the poem ‘The Needed Reflection for Nigeria at 59’ and got the cash prize of ₦75,000.
The second runner up position was clinched by Roseben Anyanwu with the poem titled ‘The Perfect Ceremony’ with a cash prize of ₦50,000.
Similarly seven other poets won consolation prizes of ₦25,000 each.
For the school category, Emmanuel Okoro of Jawel Model School, Kubwa with the poem ‘Emergency’ emerged winner and got ₦50,000.
The poem ‘Liberation’ by Princess Ezire of Government Secondary School, Dutse came second with a cash prize of ₦30,000.
The third position in the school category went to Ebere Chris of Jawel Model School, Kubwa with the poem ‘Liberty for Cross’ and was awarded ₦20,000.
Seven other students won consolation prizes of gift items from the KCCN.
Similarly, Blessing Ojo from Jawel Model School won the special Ambassador prize.
The 9th Korean-Nigerian Poetry Feast event also marked the 100 Anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement when Korean people rose up in unity against the colonist Japanese government.
According to the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Mr. Lee In Tae, who was represented by Head Mission in the Embassy, Mr. Kim Do Hwan, urged Nigerian poets to use their craftsmanship to promote freedom, liberty and self-determination.
A short drama sketch by Arojah Theatre, featuring Nigerian artistes, captured the plight of Koreans under the Japanese Colonial rule between 1910 and 1945.
The presentation reflected most vividly, the patriotic zeal of Koreans, who, in spite of the prevailing harsh socio-economic confrontations, refused to jettison their language in exchange for their masters’.
The streets demonstration organized organised by Korean students and the ordinary people in the march towards independence, and the violent suppression by Japanese soldiers brought the audience close to tears.
Among the characters was a young woman named Yu Gwan-sun. She was arrested for leading a demonstration against the Japanese.
She was very vocal in her shout of ‘Long live independent Korea’, even in chains.
