TheCable

Three individuals have emerged as winners of the 2018 Nigeria Prize for Science, Literature and Literary Criticism sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited.

The winners are Peter Ngene, Soji Cole and Isidore Diala.

Ayo Banjo, chairman of the advisory board of the competition, announced the winners at a colourful ceremony in Lagos.

Banjo said the genre for literature prize was “drama”, while the theme for the science prize was “innovations in electric power solutions.”

“The Nigeria prize for science and literature has become a key event that brings professionals from all works of life to celebrate excellence in these fields,” the former vice-chancellor of University of Ibadan, said.

“The more science and literature are advanced, the more society grows in innovation, creativity and enlightenment which are the essential pillars of civilisation and human development.

“No organisation can exist in a failed society, hence the need for instituting the significant prize for science and literature.”

The winners took turns to express their happiness and gratitude to the organisers for finding them worthy for the awards.

While Ngene, winner of the 2018 Nigeria prize for science, urged other stakeholders to invest more in scientific research in Nigeria, Diala appreciated his mentors for putting him through the right path of literary criticism.

Cole, the winner of the prize for literature advised other young writers to embrace the spirit of hard work and determination.

A cash prize of $100,000 was given for science and literature, while N1 million was given for literary criticism.