The longlist for the ZODML Poetry Challenge is announced.

The panel of judges for the ZODML Poetry Challenge in celebration today of Mother’s Day, has submitted the longlist of 10 poets narrowed down from a total submission of 791 entries from 96 tertiary institutions across 34 states. 
The Chair of the panel of judges, Tade Ipadeola said the poems were judged based on fidelity to the thematic concern of the competition, diction, imagery, style, and je ne sais quoi. Ms. Aduke Gomez  and Mrs. Achalugo Chioma Ilozumba  were the other judges.

The ZODML Poetry Challenge is a cash award of N100,000 and 4 runner-up awards of N10,000 each. A short list of 5 will be announced in about a week and the winner on the 27th of May.

The Longlist of Ten Poets in alphabetical order of surname are: 
Ebenezer Adeoye of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko
Lenient Amidu of Federal University, Lafia 
Nwuguru Chidiebere of Ebonyi State University
Adetola Jerry-Adesewo of Federal University Oye-Ekiti 
Chiamaka Ogiji of Ebonyi State University
Seyi Ojenike of Tai Solarin University of Education
Celine Okoro of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
Joan Okoro of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
Olajide Olawale of University of  Ibadan
Saheed Sunday of Lagos State University

We extend our congratulations to all of them.