Resident Poet of Port Harcourt Literary Society Awarded for Contribution to Literary Development in Rivers State.

Mr. Amu Nnadi receiving his award.

The resident poet of the Port Harcourt Literary Society, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi has been awarded the Award of Honour by the Students Union Government of the Rivers State University.

This happened during a visit of the Students Union Government to the poet in his office at the Port Harcourt Book Centre yesterday, 10th August, 2018.

The president of the union, Comr. Bestman Azuonwu said that the Award of Honour is set aside by the university to honour various individuals who have contributed outstandingly to the development of the state. He said that the award was presented to the resident poet in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the literary space in Rivers State. He added that the students community and the state at large are proud of the poet.

He said: "This award is designed specially to honour specific persons and organizations that have contributed remarkably to the development of Rivers State. The awards presentation is part of a line up of programmes commemorating the 38th Anniversary of the Rivers State University.

"During the planning of the celebration, a provision was also made to appreciate stakeholders from the literary sector. It is the first of its kind as this is the first time  promoters of literature are being considered in the awards series.

"After a careful nomination and selection process, we have found you worthy of this honour. This is in recognition of your outstanding contributions to promoting literary culture in Rivers State."

The president mentioned that other recipients of the award include: former Military Governor of Rivers State, HRM, King Diete Spiff ; first Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University, Professor Turner Isuoun; former CTC Chairman, Ahoada East LGA, Dame Beatrice Awala; Head of Service, Rivers State Government, Barr. Rufus Godwin; Alumni President, Rivers State University, Amb. Isreal Egbunefu; Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University, Professor Blessing Chimezie Didia; Dean of Student Affairs, Rivers State University, Chief Professor Isaac Zeb-obipi; General Manager, Tide Newspaper, Elder Vincent Ake; former Managing Director, NDDC, Pastor Power A.; SA on Special Projects to the Rivers State Governor, Dax George-Kelly; Executive Chairman, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike, among others.

In a group Photo after the award.

Mr Amu Nnadi, while receiving the award, described the gesture as an honour to the Port Harcourt Literary Society and the entire literary community in Rivers State. He said that the honour is a proof of the many positive things that abound in the Niger Delta and can be appreciated.

He said: "Part of my task here as resident poet is to assist in creating an environment that will serve as a literary hub in this city—a place that will form a nurturing ground for young writers.

"I believe that there is yet a large number of undiscovered literary talents in Rivers State and the Niger Delta in general. I believe that the Niger Delta is blessed with invaluable resources, human and natural.

"Although the story of the Niger Delta has, for a very long time, been stereotyped as one characterized with chronic violent agitations and militancy, our responsibility as a team is to spur the minds of our young to begin to retell this story and redirect the general perception about the Niger Delta towards the numerous possibilities that abound in the area."

Also present at the event were the Rivers State chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Uzo Nwamara; spoken word poet, Edwina Ubile Aleme; librarian, Andrea Akporoghene Enye; administrative and facility manager of the Port Harcourt Literary Society Library, Chujor Margarita, and other members of the literary society.

Mr Nwamara described the award as one that is timely, and befitting of the resident poet. 

"Although Amu Nnadi, as we all know, is not easily given to such encomiums, this award is coming at the right time in his life, and it is well deserving. It is a peg in the right hole," he said.

Mr Nwamara further encouraged the students and other stakeholders in the state to continue to support the efforts of the resident poet by creating enabling platforms for the promotion of literary activities.

The award-winning poet, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi thanked the students for the honour. He assured them of his unrelenting support to promoting literature in Rivers State and the Niger Delta. He appreciated the members of the Port Harcourt Literary Society, especially the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Chidi Amuta. He also commended the people of Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta for their cooperation and kindness, remarking that "the truth about the Niger Delta, even from ancient times, is that of a people who are receptive and progressive".