Intl Read Aloud Day: TYBLI Resuscitates First Generation Young Adult Literature

The T.Y Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) marked the UN International Read Aloud Day with the resuscitation of the works of a first-generation young adult literature writer, Cyprian Ekwensi.

Born September 26, 1921, Ekwensi’s works ‘The Drummer Boy’ and ‘The Passport of Mallam Ilia’ both first published in 1960 by Heinemann Educational Books clocked 65 years this year.

Today, works by Ekwensi and his fellow young adult writers of the time, are barely in circulation, add to that, an over three decades gap in the genre, Nigeria is battling the dearth of young adult literature (prose, poetry, drama).

The Read Aloud event tagged ‘65 Years Anniversary of Cyprian Ekwensi’s ‘The Drummer Boy’ & ‘The Passport of Mallam Ilia’’ held at the Adams Page Bookstore, Abuja saw pupils from the Unique Rhema International School and Olumawu School in attendance.

“None of the pupils from both schools have heard of Ekwensi’s popular work – The Drummer Boy or Ilia,” said TYBLI associate, Jerry Adesewo.

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“If we don’t consciously promote these books to our children, these authors and their stories will fade into non-existence.”

Adesewo recommended Nigeria toe the line of the Swedish government which immortalized ‘Pippi Longstocking’, the character created by one of its best children’s authors, Astrid Lindgren.

Celebrated annually by Sweden, for the past 80 years, ‘Pippi Longstocking’ can be found as memorabilia in the form of dolls, t-shirts, costumes, key chains, etc. in stores across Sweden; while Swedish embassies across the world mark the day with activities centered around the character. This year, the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria is translating Pippi Longstocking into Pidgin language.

“This is the type of thing we should do with Ekwensi’s characters like ‘Akin, The Drummer Boy’. It is one of the ways that the younger generation can be in contact with their works. Since government is not sponsoring such things, these read aloud programmes, and gifting each of the students the two books, is how private individuals are contributing to the preservation and continuation of young adult literature,” said Adesewo.

Similarly, TYBLI established the T.Y Buratai Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) and the Forerunners and Illustrators Award in the genre, not only to raise a new generation of Young Adult writers, but celebrate pioneers of the genre in Nigeria, and artists such as Bruce Onobrakpeya who helped visualize their stories.

Attracting over 60 entries with a N1 million cash prize for overall winner, a N250,000 cash prize each for the six geopolitical zone winners, and recognition awards for a Young Adult writer and an illustrator, the first edition turned out a success.

However, a few changes are expected in the second edition.

Adesewo said with the increment of the cash prizes to N1.5 million, and geopolitical winners to N500,000, courtesy of Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, TYBLI will not be as lenient as it was in the first edition, where as a pilot it focused more on welcoming as many writers as possible.

“We don’t want to see a single page manuscript entry like last year, which showed that for the writer, the cash prize was the motivation, not his readers.

“We want the writing to be the motivation for the writers, because our children deserve quality content. And because we request fresh works, it is an opportunity to provide visibility for the authors’ works, and build up bodies of publication for young adult readers,” Adesewo.

“Submissions for YALP 2025 open April to June 2025. Judges for the prize will be unveiled in July 2025, while the Longlist of Zonal winners will be announced in August 2025. YALP Shortlist will be released October 2025, while the announcement of the grand winner will be made at the award ceremony scheduled to hold on November 1, 2025,” Chairman TYBLI, Dr Lizzie Ben-Iheanacho.

Initiated and sponsored by former Head of Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai, TYBLI is an educational outreach and community-based service.