Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Emerge Winner Of The Etisalat Prize For Literature 2015

The CEO Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher giving the welcome speech

The African literary space witnessed a fresh wind of fiction story telling. As Etisalat Nigeria held its third edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature on March 17th at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first ever pan-African prize celebrating first time writers of published fiction books. The Prize aims to serve as a platform for the discovery of new creative talent out of the continent and invariably promote the burgeoning publishing industry in Africa.

The award ceremony this year embodied the theme: "Representing the Diversity of African Voices." It dwells on showcasing the richness of Africa and how our diversity converges into one unique voice of the continent.

In his welcome speech, the CEO Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher said, 

"There's a surprising link between the literary world and the telecommunications world. Just like the world of telecommunications, the literary world has a lot of innovations and diversity to it."

The three Authors of the Etisalat 2015 shortlisted books vying for the top prize are;

• The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself by South Africa’s Penny Busetto 
• Tram 83 by Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila and 
• What Will People Say? by another South African, Rehana Rossouw.

(L) Penny Busetto, Rehana Rossouw and Fiston Mwanza Mujila (R)

Highlights of the event was:

• A unique black carpet event.
• Motivations and innovations of diverse voices recognized in the African continent.
• International music sensation, Ara performed alongside Nigerian Mulit-Platinum selling and Award-winning Musician, Darey Art Alade thrilled dignitaries and audience to a remarkable atmosphere.
• The event also had book reading session, where authors of the shortlisted books reading out excerpts of their nominated novels, a question and answer session and of course an opportunity to meet the authors’ one on one and take pictures. 

On the night, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, author of Tran 83 emerge winner of the Etisalat prize for Literature 2015. He received £15,000, and a high end device.

Fiston Mwanza Mujila - Winner, Etisalat Prize for Literature

Nollywood Actress, Genevieve Nnaji

Shade Ladipo

Asa performing at the event.

(L) Brycee Adiah Bassey, (M) Omojuwa and Shade Ladipo (R)

Darey Art Alade serenading the audience with his performance.

About Etisalat

In just 6 years of operations, Etisalat Nigeria has become a major industry player with a growing subscriber base of over 22 million in a highly competitive market. Its portfolio of voice and data-centric products include – easy starter, easycliq, easybusiness, and easyblaze; all tailor-made to meet the needs of its customers.

Etisalat Nigeria is one of the 19 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans Africa, the Middle East and Asia serving over 182 million subscribers; and it is committed to delivering innovative and quality services to its growing subscribers.

To learn more about the Etisalat Nigeria Literary Prize, Visit prize.etisalat.com.ng