African Human Rights Music Competition Announces Longlist

 

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MUSIC COMPETITION ANNOUNCES LONGLIST

 

The recently concluded African Human Rights Music Competition recorded an impressive turnout, attracting over 30 entries from participants spanning 15 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. This competition continues to stand as a beacon for cultural diplomacy, drawing entries from nations such as Nigeria, Zambia, Germany, Rwanda, Australia, Ghana, India, South Sudan, Congo, South Africa, Réunion and Mayotte, Kenya, Uganda, and Austria. The competition reaffirms the universal power of music as a tool to spotlight human rights advocacy and social justice.

The African Secretariat of the African Human Rights Art Festival, organizers of the competition, formally unveiled its longlist of standout entries, recognizing the creative brilliance and commitment of participants towards championing human rights through music. Each entrant received a Certificate of Participation as acknowledgment of their efforts and contributions in this noble cause.

The unveiled longlist features an array of artists and musicians whose works reflect the competition’s core ideals. These include: Alao Felix Oluwadamilare (Free World - Felicity), Aniah Emmanuel Bepeh (BTC), Avril (Africa Our Home), Dead to Rights by Uche Chidozie Okorie, Delphina Yeboah (Sit Down, Shut Up and Procreate), Itunu Oyewale (Break the Chains), Ogedengbe Eghosasere (Our Voice), Ummalkhairi Buhari (We Will Fight), Qudus Olowo (Dunya), and Christian Chidozie Okoro (Stand For Our Rights).

Also making the longlist are Nwadei Somkelechi (Blood On The Flag Mas), John Stephen Osifo (Soul), Mide Johnson (Until Everybody’s Free), Onyekachi Nnabuike (Special Woman), Princessinit (Power and Bigotry), Sean Cornelius (Le Monde S'Enlace - Audio Officiel), and Sheetal Varma (Firefly). These remarkable works span genres and languages, reflecting the diversity and depth of talent committed to the cause of human rights.

The African Human Rights Music Competition serves as a platform where musicians, vocalists, and songwriters from Africa and beyond use their talents to amplify messages of justice, equality, and freedom. Through music, participants engage in conversations around oppression, gender inequality, migration, child rights, freedom of speech, and other critical human rights issues facing communities worldwide.

According to the organizers, the competition aims not only to raise awareness but also to inspire positive social change through the universal language of music. This year’s diverse entries, both in terms of geography and artistic expression, demonstrate the strength of music as a unifying force in the fight for human dignity and justice.

Speaking on behalf of the African Secretariat, the organizers expressed gratitude to all entrants for their unwavering passion and creativity. They emphasized the importance of nurturing platforms like this, which allow artists to contribute meaningfully to global conversations around human rights through their unique voices and artistry.

 

IHRAM Unveils Shortlist for African Human Rights Music Competition, Voting Now Open

 

IHRAM UNVEILS SHORTLIST FOR AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MUSIC COMPETITION, VOTING NOW OPEN

 

The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) has officially unveiled the shortlist for its much-anticipated African Human Rights Music Competition. This was made known in a statement issued by Wole Adedoyin, the Coordinator of the Competition. The shortlisted entries were carefully selected from the previously announced longlist of 17 participants.

The shortlisted eight finalists include: Alao Felix Oluwadamilare with Free World (Felicity); Aniah Emmanuel Bepeh with BTC; Avril with Africa Our Home; Dead to Rights by Uche Chidozie Okorie; Delphina Yeboah with Sit Down, Shut Up and Procreate; Itunu Oyewale with Break the Chains; Ogedengbe Eghosasere with Our Voice; and Ummalkhairi Buhari with We Will Fight. These talented artists were recognized for their exceptional contributions in using music to amplify human rights messages.

According to the organizers, the eight shortlisted entries have been uploaded on YouTube for public engagement and voting. Music lovers, human rights activists, and members of the public are encouraged to listen, engage, and vote for their favorite tracks via the YouTube playlist link provided: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqQV5LsSDTZSNSlXcZXwDF047cV0UPor.

Voting is open for two weeks only, during which participants are required to listen to all eight powerful tracks and comment under their favorite song either on YouTube or through the competition’s official channels. This unique approach aims to foster community engagement and ensure that the winners are determined by popular choice.

Wole Adedoyin highlighted that these songs collectively address critical themes of freedom, dignity, equality, and justice, aligning perfectly with IHRAM’s mission of leveraging art for social change. “Music has always been a tool for activism, and this competition has proven how artists across Africa are ready to raise their voices against oppression through their craft,” Adedoyin stated.

The African Human Rights Music Competition was designed to harness the talents of musicians, vocalists, and songwriters across Africa and beyond. Its goal is to encourage the use of music as a dynamic platform for advocating human rights, raising awareness of pressing social issues, and inspiring change through creativity.

The competition received submissions from across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, further reinforcing the universality of music and human rights. IHRAM is proud of the diverse participation and the quality of entries received, each reflecting unique cultural perspectives on human rights struggles and hopes.

As the competition progresses to its final stage, IHRAM calls on the global community to actively participate in voting and help spotlight the top three voices who have used their music as a force for good. The winners will not only receive recognition but will also contribute to shaping conversations around human rights through continued collaboration with IHRAM.

The African Human Rights Music Competition stressed IHRAM’s broader commitment to integrating arts into human rights advocacy and offering platforms where artists can challenge injustices and inspire meaningful conversations through their work.

 

                                                               

IHRAM Unveils Longlist of 58 Poets for African Human Rights Poetry Competition

 

IHRAM UNVEILS LONGLIST OF 58 POETS FOR AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION

 

The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) has officially unveiled the longlist for its African Human Rights Poetry Competition. A total of fifty-eight poets have been selected for the longlist following the conclusion of the competition’s first phase, which recorded an overwhelming response from poets and human rights advocates across the world.

According to the Coordinator of the African Human Rights Poetry Competition, Wole Adedoyin, the competition received a remarkable total of 350 entries from 25 countries, showcasing the diverse, vibrant, and courageous voices engaging with critical human rights themes through poetry. This wide-ranging participation reflects the global relevance of human rights issues and the enduring power of poetry to address them.

Entries were received from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Thailand, India, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Canada, Jamaica, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, USA, Egypt, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, Tunisia, and Cameroon. This impressive spread highlights the universal concern for human rights and the collective desire to use poetry as a vehicle for change.

The African Human Rights Poetry Competition was established to amplify the voices of poets who are advocating for justice, equality, and human dignity. Through their creative works, these poets explore pressing issues such as political oppression, gender inequality, child rights, freedom of speech, and other human rights challenges that continue to affect people globally.

The unveiling of the longlist marks a major milestone in the competition’s journey. The 58 selected poets represent some of the most powerful, insightful, and thought-provoking entries that the competition received. Their works reflect a blend of personal experience, social commentary, and bold imagination, all aligned with the competition’s mission to spotlight human rights through the arts.

Wole Adedoyin expressed his appreciation to all participants for their commitment to using poetry as a tool for social justice. “These poets have given voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless through their words. They have demonstrated how poetry can challenge oppression and ignite conversations that lead to positive change,” he noted.

IHRAM remains steadfast in its belief that the arts play a vital role in human rights advocacy. Through this competition, the organization continues to build bridges between artists, activists, and audiences, using creative expression to foster awareness and inspire action against injustices.

In the next phase of the competition, the longlisted poems will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges who will select the final winners. An anthology of the longlisted works is also being planned, ensuring that these powerful voices will be preserved and shared widely as a testament to the ongoing fight for human rights.

The African Human Rights Poetry Competition has proven to be a significant platform for emerging and established poets alike, providing them with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to global conversations on justice, equality, and freedom.

Through initiatives like this, IHRAM reaffirms its dedication to harnessing the power of art for social impact, encouraging creative individuals to continue using their voices to advocate for a fairer, more humane world.

Below are the names of the shortlisted poets

                       

1.      AFRICA, RISE WITH LIGHT: Awountsa Tsafac Umel

2.      HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY: Adebara Abibat Itunuoluwa

3.      TWO FACES OF JUSTICE: Luper Paul Iorkongoso

4.      AFRICA AND AFFAIRS OF INJUSTICE: Noah Ebije

5.      RIGHTS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO KNOCK: Paul Olayimika

6.      I HAVE A DREAM: Alimikhena Oshiole Grace

7.      SILENCE NEVER EVEN SAVED US: Natalie Alinda Kagaba

8.      REQUIEM FOR MY COUNTRY: Daniel Echezona

9.      WE ARE NOT SILENT: Joyce Elsie Amoshaire Dixon

10.  RECLAMATION: Evans Divine

11.  A SULLEN SUNLESS SKY: Nicole Chingosha

12.  WE, THE UPLIFTED ASHES: Jean-Marc AZI

13.  WHAT IF?: Tracy Jamgbad

14.  ECHOES OF A CHAINED NATION: Faith Kamanga

15.  THE LION SPEAKS: AN AFRICAN ASSERTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: Meme David

16.  I AM JUST A YOUNG GIRL: Faith Nkuna

17.  WHEN FREEDOM WEARS CHAINS: Fatokun Ibukun Paul

18.  JUSTICE UNSEEN: Onyema Gift

19.  OPPRESSION: Wangari Margaret Wanjiru

20.  POEM: LET RIGHTS RISE: Yves MUGISHA

21.  CRIES OF THE NATION: Oguguom Chidiebere

22.  THE SILENCE THAT SCREAMS: Moseka Ntiyia

23.  BALLAD OF A BORROWED NATION: Adjekawen Jeremiah Agberia

24.  VIOLATED FOR LIFE: Oladele Babajamu

25.  CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: Favour Udofot John

26.  VOICES OF OUR TOMORROW: Kobe D. Wleh

27.  THE PIXEL VOODOO CIRCUIT BOARD: Sarah Lubala

28.  DO YOU EVER REALLY THINK?: Amos Yaubeta Sunday

29.  BEAT ME NO UNEQUAL STICKS: Segun Alexandra Adeniyi

30.  WHEN THE ELEPHANT SITS ON THE CHICKEN: Ebhohon Majekodunmi Oseriemen

31.  IMAGINE A SOCIETY OF LAWLESSNESS: Chioma Praise Udechineke

32.  ECHOES OF LIBERTY: Inneh Ifueko

33.  ECHOES OF HUMANITY: Iornumbe Charles

34.  HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA: Oluwatamilore Oluwadarasimi Agunbiade

35.  ON HUMAN RIGHTS: Comfort Nyarko

36.  CLIPPED WINGS: Wahab Raimot Abike

37.  IN EVERY HEART: Abdulrasheed Yakubu Ladan

38.  SAY MY NAME: Ogwa Vivian Onyedibia

39.  PATHWAYS TO PEACE: Moronike Bello-Olusanya

40.  COLOUR BLINDNESS: Dennis Othuechere Ogu

41.  STRIVING STRENGTH: Abdulmumeen Humulkhair Olamipo

42.  UNSHACKLED VOICES EGBA: Samuel Patrick

43.  THE GAP: Matthew Edeh

44.  WHEN THE CHAINS BREAK, WILL WE RUN? Anselm Eme

45.  AFRICAN WHISPERS: Daksha Sivaraj Sajjan

46.  THE RIGHT TO BE: Oladejo Rachel

47.  THE INNOCENT: Olanrewaju Sheriff

48.  THE BLACKMANS SAGA: Chukwuajah Emmanuel

49.  WAITING FOR THE ANGELS: Muhammad Hassan

50.  BEFORE: Khairat Abdulrazaq

51.  JUSTICE: Tanimu Abdulahi

52.  BENEATH THE UNIVERSE: Doreen Mwenda

53.  COME, I SWEAR WE’LL LAUGH SO HARD AGAIN AND RUN ALONG ALL RIVERS: Aishat Yahkub

54.  I AM HUMAN TOO: Chioma Muogbo

55.  MY DREAM, MY IDENTITY:  Musa Abdulshakur Abdulkadiri

56.  AFRICA'S CLARION CALL: Ogooluwa Divine Ayanfeoluwa

57.  VOICES UNHEARD: Matshidiso Rachel Hlungwani

58.  THE AFRICAN CRY: Zachariah Princess Gogote