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

IHRAM Names Judges For African Human Rights Poetry Competition

 

IHRAM NAMES JUDGES FOR AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION

 

The International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM), organizer of the African Human Rights Poetry Competition, has announced the selection of three distinguished judges for the recently concluded competition. Through the power of poetry, the contest seeks to amplify voices advocating for human rights and social change, providing a platform for writers passionate about freedom, justice, and equality.

In a statement released to the press, Wole Adedoyin, Coordinator of the African Human Rights Poetry Competition, disclosed that the competition received over 300 outstanding entries from more than 25 countries across Africa and beyond. The overwhelming response stressed the global resonance of human rights issues and the role of poetry in fostering dialogue and transformation.

To evaluate and select the most compelling entries, IHRAM has appointed three renowned judges with extensive expertise in poetry, literature, and human rights advocacy. The panel includes Khalid Imam, Nkwetatang Sampson Nguekie, and Tom Block, each bringing a wealth of experience and artistic insight to the competition.

Khalid Imam, a celebrated poet, playwright, and art administrator, has made significant contributions to the literary world. As President of D-E-E-D-S Dialogue Debate International and Chairman of the Poetry Renaissance Trust, he has championed numerous literary initiatives, including the Nigeria Poetry Festival and All Poets Network International. A bilingual writer, Imam has published widely across multiple continents and co-edited notable anthologies such as Corona Blues and Tulu: A Multilingual Anthology of Northern Nigerian New Writings. His judging experience includes prestigious contests like the BBC Hausa Hikayata Short Story Competition and the Dr. Wale Okediran @70 Poetry Competition.

Nkwetatang Sampson Nguekie, a visionary writer from Cameroon, is hailed as a modern-day romantic poet with ambitions to become one of history’s greatest literary figures. Educated at the University of Yaoundé I, he has authored two novels, From Village to Town and Hard Way to Fortune, and pioneered a new literary genre called “Repsy.” His works have earned accolades, including the 2013 Eko Prize for Nonfiction and the 2022 Lantern Prize for Literature. A prolific editor and mentor, Nguekie leads multiple literary and civil society organizations, including the Cameroonian and Nigerian Writers League (CNWL).

Tom Block, an accomplished playwright, author, and visual artist, brings decades of artistic and activist experience to the judging panel. His plays have been staged at prominent venues such as the Ensemble Studio Theater and HERE Arts Center. As the founder of the International Human Rights Art Festival and the Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival, Block has been a driving force in merging art and activism. His exhibitions and lectures have spanned the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, solidifying his reputation as a thought leader in creative advocacy.

The longlist of 50 outstanding entries will be announced in mid-July 2025, followed by the unveiling of 10 shortlist. The competition highlights poetry’s unique ability to articulate human rights struggles, from gender equality and democracy to social justice and freedom of expression.

IHRAM remains committed to fostering artistic expression as a tool for social change, providing a global stage for voices that challenge oppression and inspire hope. The African Human Rights Poetry Competition exemplifies this mission, celebrating the transformative power of words in the fight for a just world.