Deputy President of the Senate,Ovie Omo-Agege, has congratulated Dr. Stephen Ese Kekeghe for emerging joint winner of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Prize for Poetry, 2021.
Kekeghe’s ‘Rumbling Sky’ alongside Kehinde Akano’s ‘Pajepolobi’ clinched a joint prize at the 40th anniversary convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in Abuja.
Omo-Agege’s congratulatory message, made available by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, described the Delta State-born poet as “a rising star not only for the Urhobo nation in particular but also for Delta State, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”
He said: “Dr. Stephen Ese Kekeghe is a proud son of Urhobo from Imode Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area. Deltans are known for our resilience, bravery and high level of competitiveness in all walks of life.
“From Delta State University, Abraka where you obtained your first degree and College of Education, Warri where you taught as a lecturer, testimonies abound of your strong work ethic. Your award is a testament to the saying that hard work pays. With hard work, this sky is your starting point.
“You have shown us all your hard work and consistency over the years so it was no surprise when the news broke of your award at the 40th anniversary convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). With hard work, the sky is your starting point. Congratulations.”
The federal lawmaker enjoined the youth to emulate the researcher’s resilience by pushing themselves to the limit, adding that by so doing, there will be no stopping them.
It would be recalled that Kekeghe has also authored ‘Pond of Leeches’, a play which has been staged in several universities in Nigeria and ‘Chants of Memories’ and a collection of poems already published in different print and online outlets.
The New Diplomat learnt that the literary giant is also a researcher with bias in inter-disciplinary studies, medical and environmental humanities; post-colonial and gender studies as well as creative writing.
