IHRAM Unveils New Projects for African Writers, Musicians, Students

 IHRAM UNVEILS NEW PROJECTS FOR AFRICAN WRITERS, MUSICIANS, STUDENTS

The International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM), under the visionary leadership of Mr. Tom Block and headquartered in New York, has announced the approval of three groundbreaking projects for the African Secretariat of the Movement. 

The newly approved initiatives—African Human Rights Music Competition, African Human Rights Poetry Competition, and the African Human Rights Inter-Varsity Essay Contest—aim to amplify human rights advocacy through artistic and intellectual expression.

The **African Human Rights Music Competition** is designed to engage musicians across Africa in composing songs that highlight human rights issues affecting the continent. This competition will encourage artists to use their craft to create awareness and inspire change, emphasizing themes such as social justice, freedom of expression, and equality. 

The **African Human Rights Poetry Competition** seeks to provide a platform for poets to express their thoughts on human rights abuses and triumphs in Africa. Open to both emerging and established poets, this competition will celebrate the power of poetry in advocating for justice and societal transformation. Winning entries will be compiled into an anthology to further spread the messages of resistance, resilience, and hope.

The **African Human Rights Inter-Varsity Essay Contest** is tailored for students across African universities, fostering a culture of research, critical thinking, and advocacy on human rights issues. 

Participants will be required to analyze contemporary human rights challenges and propose actionable solutions through their essays. Winning essays will be published, and top contestants will be rewarded.

This initiative was disclosed in a press statement issued by Wole Adedoyin one of the IHRAM Directors in Africa, emphasizing the commitment of IHRAM to supporting artistic and literary endeavors that promote human rights. 

The African Secretariat of IHRAM has consistently played a significant role in creating platforms for creative expression, and these new projects further strengthen its dedication to fostering social impact through art and literature.

In previous years, with the unwavering support of Mr. Tom Block, the African Secretariat of IHRAM successfully executed notable projects such as the END SARS National Poetry Competition, African Human Rights Essay Competition, African Human Rights Playwriting Competition, and the GEN Z National Poetry Competition.

These initiatives have not only showcased African talents but also spurred critical conversations on pressing human rights issues.

The call for entries for the three newly approved projects is set to be released this week, providing interested participants with detailed guidelines and submission procedures. 

IHRAM encourages all eligible individuals to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to the global human rights discourse through their creative and intellectual works.

Additionally, the African Secretariat of IHRAM has successfully facilitated the publication of several anthologies, including *From Africa With Love: Voices of a Creative Continent*, *Get Consent: Poetry and Essay Anthology on Rape and Sexual Violence Against Women*, *The Malady and the Remedy: An International Essay Anthology on Human Rights Abuse in Africa*, and *END SARS Rhythms: A Collection of Poems on Police Brutality, Assaults, and Battery.* These publications have served as powerful instruments in amplifying African voices on human rights issues.

Other significant anthologies published through IHRAM’s support include *Thorns, Tears, and Treachery: A Collection of Poems, Essays, and Artwork on the Sudanese Civil War* and *Her Rights, Our Stories: A Collection of Poems and Essays on the Plight of Women and Girls in Africa*. These works have continued to inspire and educate individuals on the need for sustained advocacy and activism.

IHRAM remains committed to empowering African artists, writers, and students in using their talents to effect positive societal change. 

With the launch of these three new projects, the organization reaffirms its dedication to fostering a culture of human rights awareness, activism, and artistic excellence across the continent.

Meet The Winners Of The Gen Z National Poetry Competition

 

MEET THE WINNERS OF THE GEN Z NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION

 

DANIEL AYOTUNDE OMONITAN {FIRST PRIZE} NIGERIA

Daniel Ayotunde Omonitan, also known as Digerati_DAO, is a dynamic creative blending media, storytelling, science, and faith. He is a skilled writer, poet, and video editor, who uses compelling narratives to inspire change and foster impactful dialogues.

Daniel holds a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from FUTA. He is the founder of the Poetry and Literacy Society, where he facilitates the Open Mic FUTA show in collaboration with other creative communities. He is an advocate for national development through creativity. 

His literary works have garnered recognition across various national and international media platforms, including Freedom Television Channel 34 UHF, the Bash Amuneni Prize for Performance Poetry, Nasara Creatives, IHRAM and 60 Seconds Poetry, among others.

SUMAILA ISAH UMAISHA {SECOND PRIZE} NIGERIA

Sumaila Isah Umaisha has worked as a Literary Editor since 1994 with various media organisations including Hotline magazine, New Nigerian Newspapers, Blueprint Newspapers and then as Editor with the Nigerian Newsday from 2013 to 2020. Among other prizes, he has won twice (in 2004 and 2007) the Literary Journalist Prize awarded by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

His short stories, poems, essays and interviews have been published in several national and international anthologies, journals and magazines, including DRUMVOICES REVUE, USA, The London Magazine, UK, and his blog, http://www.everythinliterature.blogspot.com. His first work, a collection of short stories titled Hoodlums (2010), is a recommended text in some Nigerian universities. His novel, Glasshouse (2022), was on the longlist of the 2022 edition of the James Currey Prize for African Literature, and the shortlist of the 2022 edition of the ANA Prose Prize.

 

MOSEKA NTIYIA {THIRD PRIZE} KENYA

 

Moseka Ntiyia loves writing, but he loves reading as well. He loves writing poetry more than he would love being called a poet—that sounds special, doesn’t it? He is Kenyan, and a few of his poems have been featured in international publications like *Isele Magazine, The Arc Poetry, Viridine Literary, Amphibian Literary and Journal, and Blue Marble Review*, with some others forthcoming.  

 

For him, poetry is more than an art form; it is a stream-of-consciousness process—a way to make sense of the world and himself.

My Facebook account name; Moseka Ntiyia 

 

 

GEN Z National Poetry Competition: Winners Announced

GEN Z NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION: WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 

The organizers of the GEN Z Kenyan National Poetry Competition are proud to announce the winners of the competition, which aimed to capture the diverse experiences and reflections of Kenyans, as well as international observers, on the recent protests that have resulted in tragic loss of life and widespread incarcerations.

The competition attracted entries from around the world, with a total of eight shortlisted poems selected by renowned Nigerian poet and artist R. B. Pembroke (born Oludare Akinola). Pembroke, a poet, essayist, playwright, painter, and calligrapher, has a distinguished background, holding a BSc in Psychology from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MSc in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan. His work has been featured in numerous literary journals both within Nigeria and internationally.

The winning entries were judged by Tom Block, an esteemed playwright, author of five books, and visual artist with over 20 years of experience. Tom Block has exhibited his artwork and delivered talks on his ideas across the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East. He is also the founder of the International Human Rights Art Festival at Dixon Place in New York City, which was launched in March 2017.

The final winners and notable mentions are as follows:

WINNERS:

1. A Poem For The Good People of Kenya – Daniel Ayotunde Omonitan (Nigeria) – 1st Place
2. Spirit of the Protest – Sumaila Isah Umaisha (Nigeria) – 2nd Place
3. Because We Could Not Bow to Fear – Stanley Moseka Ntiyia (Kenya) – 3rd Place

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

• Echoes of Desperation: A Nation’s Youth Cry for Justice – William Muthama (Kenya)
• Scourge of Greed – Abdulmumeen Humulkhair Olamipo (Nigeria)
• Shadows of Yesterday – Stephen Gatei Wambui (Kenya)
• The Kenya We Dream Of – Sayyida Ali Shariff Alwy Ali (Kenya)
• The Whispers of a Nation: A Gen Z Cry – Linda Gichohi (Kenya)

The GEN Z National Poetry Competition remains committed to capturing the voices and perspectives of those affected by the recent protests, shedding light on the struggles and hopes of a generation in pursuit of justice.

 

GEN Z Kenyan National Poetry Competition: IHRAM Reveals Shortlist of Finalists

 

GEN Z KENYAN NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION: IHRAM REVEALS SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS

 

The organizers of the GEN Z Kenyan National Poetry Competition have unveiled the shortlist for this year's competition, showcasing an impressive array of poetic voices that highlight the ongoing challenges facing Kenya. The competition was designed to capture the diverse perspectives of Kenyans, as well as international observers, in response to the recent protests, which have resulted in tragic loss of life and widespread arrests.

Through this initiative, IHRAM (International Human Rights Art Movement) provides a dynamic platform for participants to creatively express their thoughts on these pressing social issues through the art of poetry. The shortlist was carefully curated by Oludare Akinola (R. B. Pembroke), who selected the finalists from 12 longlisted entries.

The winners of the GEN Z Kenyan National Poetry Competition will be announced later this week. The first-place winner will receive a prize of $100, the second-place winner will receive $75, and the third-place winner will receive $50.

The complete shortlist is as follows:

1. A Poem For The Good People Of Kenya – Daniel Ayotunde Omonitan (Nigeria)
2. Because We Could Not Bow To Fear – Stanley Moseka Ntiyia (Kenya)
3. Echoes Of Desperation: A Nation’s Youth Cry For Justice – William Muthama (Kenya)
4. Scourge Of Greed – Abdulmumeen Humulkhair Olamipo (Nigeria)
5. Shadows Of Yesterday – Stephen Gatei Wambui (Kenya)
6. Spirit Of The Protest – Sumaila Isah Umaisha (Nigeria)
7. The Kenya We Dream Of – Sayyida Ali Shariff Alwy Ali (Kenya)
8. The Whispers Of A Nation: A Gen Z Cry – Linda Gichohi (Kenya)

Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners, as these talented poets continue to shine a light on the socio-political realities of our time.