Nigerian Poet Wins in America as He's Awarded Grant to Support His Work, Many Celebrate with Him
- A Nigerian poet in the United States, Chibụìhè Obi Achịmbá, has won the 2021 S.B.C.F Emerging Artist Award
- Achịmbá celebrated his win on social media and Nigerians flooded the comment section of his post to hail him
- According to the young Nigerian poet, the award is one of New England’s most prestigious grants for artists
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A Nigerian poet identified as Chibụìhè Obi Achịmbá has celebrated on social media after receiving the 2021 S.B.C.F Emerging Artist Award.
The young poet who is based in Massachusetts said his work has been celebrated by the poetry community in loud and meaningful ways.
Source: Facebook
Taking to his Facebook page to share the good news, he wrote:
"The letter has been sitting on my nightstand for a while now, and each time i stare at it, shockwaves of joy ripple through my body.
"There is the money that comes with this award, and then there’s the visibility and validation. i feel seen. this manuscript that I’ve been wrestling with is going somewhere after all."
Achịmbá noted that the award is one of New England’s most prestigious artists' grants.
According to the young man, the city of Cambridge, Boston and Somerville have shown him extraordinary kindness and support.
In his words:
"The poetry community especially has welcomed and celebrated my work in loud and meaningful ways — i couldn’t have asked for a better community.
"I owe a world of gratitude to the kind folks who have been relentlessly pushing me to limelight. many thanks to Saint Botolph Club Foundation, Boston, for this priceless investment."
Many people celebrate with Achịmbá
Achimba's success story inspired social media users who flooded the comment section of his post to celebrate with him.
Nneoma Otuegbe said:
"Congratulations! You deserve every wonderful thing that comes your way!"
David Ishaya Osu commented:
"Super congratulations, Chibuihe."
Pieter Odendaal commented:
"This is amazing man! Sending so much love. And clarity for what lies ahead."
Amadi Nmeso said:
"Enjoy everything good that this life has to offer you. You deserve them all. I know the story and the struggle."
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Another Nigerian achieves great success
Legit.ng previously reported that a 23-year-old Nigerian writer identified as Innocent Chizaram Ilo won the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for Africa region.
Ilo's short story titled When a Woman Renounces Motherhood won him the prize.
Legit.ng gathers that Ilo, who is the youngest writer to be awarded the African region prize since the establishment of the Commonwealth prize in 2012, will be receiving £2,500 (N1,220,237.50) and a publication with Granta.
Source: Legit.ng
