Friday, 4 January 2013

Uche Uwadinachi Win's 3rd Prize for Poetry at FNL Poetry and Short Story Competition - University of Lagos -December 29, 2012

12:37 P . O . P No comments

3rd Prize Winner for poetry at the FNL POETRY and SHORT STORY competition, thanks to Julian, Dr. Abimbola Odumosu, nee Denloye, Syreeta, and to all my friends ,A BIG THANK YOU.

http://bookaholicblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/fnl-writing-competition-on-forgiveness.html

'Blasphemy Against the Church'

10:52 P . O . P No comments

The major obstacle plaguing modern Christianity today is the infallibility of its leaders as perceived by many Christians. This is crucial as it has to do with the 21st century. In 1517, one German Christian Martin Luther broke this chain of “blasphemy against the church” and that single act won for us, the modern Christianity enjoyed today. Unfortunately the same crime that the old church commit

ted then, is what flourishes the new church today. This time around in a trend of material salvation being dog-watched by the fear of blasphemy.
There could have been nothing so wrong in religious leaders acquiring private jets, if it is not so glaring that Nigeria is currently exploding with poverty and corruption amidst abundant resources. Many faithfuls sleep in abject hunger (that cannot be converted into fasting) and permanent homelessness(not because they have been in a prayer desert), yet we deem it necessary to go round the world preaching when billions of Christians here are perishing in hunger.
The church must return to its original ideas of reformation of the 15th century which is first and foremost for the well-being of its people and the free cost of salvation. In as much as Christ noted that the expensive perfumed oil poured on his head by the Mary cannot totally eradicate poverty, Christ basically meant that the church can create loan schemes, generate employment and accommodation opportunities and above all fight bluntly against every anti –people policy, and corrupt act of government officials and politicians alike that will oppress the freedom of any faithful relating with God.

Uche Uwadinachi

COME WATCH THE PRIEST AGAIN

12:59 P . O . P No comments

Come watch the best of the best Spoken Word Poets in Nigeria live on stage. Poets such as Sage Hasson, Efe Paul Azino, Plumbline, Chiedu Ifeozo, Bob Ekat, Olulu (the King not from Zulu), Atilola, Donna K, Enigmatic Olumide, Chris Eleri, Ivori, Ndukwe Onuoha, Nini Efem, Soonest I Nathaniel, Increase, Rez tha poet, Tofarati, Holyblaze, Uche Uwadinachi and many others.

The Event will also feature Soul Singers like D Tone, Lumynos, and Ajibola Adeoya.

We also have celebrities who will come perform their poems on stage.

The maiden edition of WORD UP was held on August 18, 2012. It took place at the UNILAG Guest House Lecture Theatre, Akoka, Lagos, and it was a delightful success.

If you wish to partner with us through sponsorship to showcase your products and services, we have the ability to deliver the following benefits:

· Branding Opportunity

· Media Exposure

· Product/ Services Experience

· Speaking Opportunity

· Database Acquisition

Performance Poetry and Spoken Word Events is the next tidal wave that will sweep through our country, especially among the youth; do not miss the opportunity to ride on the waves.

http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5654577842024343575#editor/target=post;postID=9032474724736580531

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuytmDrUOZ8&feature=plcp

Poetry Performance of Uche Uwadinachi at the Book launch of 'Served' by Agbro Joe Jnr. at Lagos Country Club, Ikeja .

13:53 P . O . P No comments

Served, memoir of a youth corps member, is a non-fictional account of Joe Agbro Jr., a journalist with The Nation Newspaper, during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a one-year mandatory scheme for young Nigerian graduates. The book highlights the highs and lows of living and working in Ezzaland, Ebonyi State.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joe Agbro Jr: Promising writer

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OSEYIZA OOGBODO 22/09/2012 04:31:00

Call him a promising literary light and you won’t be wrong. His first published book, Served, definitely indicates that he’s a very promising writer who just might soon be up there in the ranks of other great writers like Odia Ofeimun, Wole Soyinka and Niyi Osundare. He is Joe Agbro Jr and his literary baby, Served, is a memoir of his experiences as a youth corps member in Ebonyi State while participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2004 and 2005. It details his journey through ‘Sharon,’ the NYSC camp in Ebonyi and working as a teacher in semi-rustic Ezzaland, his place of primary assignment. “I love writing. I love putting words together to make beautiful sentences that captivate people to read them. Writing is very important to me because writing analyses a topic properly and if anyone should then read that write-up about that topic, he will understand it.”
Talking about Served, he said, “It is my own way of giving back to the society. People hear a lot about serving the nation through the NYSC.
They look forward to it and Served will help them in that as well.” Writing a book is never an easy proposition but Agbro claims writing Served wasn’t too difficult for him.
“It was not too difficult to write as I made notes intermittently during service year and knew I was going to write a book about my experience.” And on how long it took him to write it, he said, “I finished the first draft in three months in December 2005.
During that period, I worked like a maniac, typing furiously on a desktop computer I bought while serving. I usually left anything I was doing to write whenever there was electricity to power the computer.” “Served is unique, and I am not blowing my own trumpet. What makes it unique is the fact that it contains undiluted facts.
Every part of the story as well as the characters in it is real. In fact, I sometimes feel naked realising how much of myself I’ve put in there.”
And insisting on his love for writing, he disclosed that, “There’s definitely going to be another book from me but for now, I plan to ensure as many people as possible get to read Served. “I’ll like to say many Nigerians that ought to be reading are not reading.
But, for the few that still read or want to read, I think it’s the proper job of the writer to continue churning out stories.”
Disclosing that Served would be released internationally in both soft and hard versions in December, he added that “its public presentation comes up next Wednesday at the Lagos Country Club.
Governor Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State is billed to deliver a lecture on the topic, Re-addressing the role of youths in nation building. Many other dignitaries will also be in attendance and I’m looking forward earnestly to the launching which will herald its release into the market."

http://nationalmirroronline.net/features/people/52065.html

Uche Uwadinachi - Walls of Unending Scars

06:58 P . O . P 3 comments

Walls of Unending Scars

Walls of unending scars

I have seen
The four walls
Coated with gory hand-prints
Of criminals and suspects
In-scripting awkwardness
Pleading for a public presentation

I stared at slogans
Screaming….
“we die…innocent”
“i was here”
“and so what”
“are you the president?”
“dem go fire me”
“na today”
“…save us”

My heart tears my eyes
And the graffiti spawns
Ceaselessly…

My head smothers
As ravaging foul odour
Of urine and shit
Shutters me to worship
At the walls of unending scars
With my own “craze-words”.

Hell is cell!
The black bowl
Smiths into a black hole
Bloats for the unborn convict
Guilty – of life, wanting to survive
…raiding flames at night
…beaming red in flight
…yellow coal for ice
Collies for the burning
Of our already hurt hearts.

“Pollease”…police
Poll for faults
Lease of crimes
To catch and lock our lives
Into the bloating black hole
Of a cell.

And so
The walls persist
A writing cry of the weak
Dying…to die today
And died…. Tomorrow
WILL DIE NO MORE.

http://castroller.com/Podcasts/IndiefeedPerformance/3007989

http://castroller.com/Podcasts/IndiefeedPerformance/3007989

Lagos (Uche Uwadinachi) emerge 2nd runner-up in the National Poetry Slam Competition Abuja. Thanks all.

11:14 P . O . P 1 comment

Dike Chukwumerije is the National Slam Champion! He beat 34 contestants to emerge winner. Lady Inspirologos came second with 45.8 point which earned her a cash prize of N60,000 while Uche Uwadinachi from Lagos came third with 45.6 point carting away N40,000. The Champion went with the grand prize of N100,000. Thank u all for ur wonderful participation and we look forward to making subsequent editions grander! Picture will be streamed online tomorrow!

RULES FOR SLAM POETS
1. Poems can be on any subject and in any style.

2. Each poem must be an original piece written and performed by the author.

3. No props.

4. No costumes.

5. Performances are timed and should not exceed 3 minutes; the last round may be 2 minutes.

6. No musical instruments (leave the drum set home) or pre-recorded music.

7. Each poem may only be used once during the competition.

8. Poets prepare 3 poems in case they move to the 2nd and final rounds.

RULES FOR SLAM JUDGES
1. Judges are selected at random from the audience (no experience needed); they’re given score cards.

2. Five judges are used and each is asked to leave his/her personal bias at home.

3. Judges are asked to rate 50% on performance (presentation) AND 50% on content of the poem (was it well-written, did it make sense - doesn't matter if you agreed with the content).

4. Scores are from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest), using decimals to reduce the chance of ties - (“0 infinity” is not a number, honest)

5. At the same time, judges hold up one score (e.g.: 5.6, 8.7, 9.8, 10.0) when asked by the Slam Master.

6. The Slam Master then announces the poet's scores from each judge out loud. An average is arrived at by totaling the poet’s score and dividing by 5.

7. Where there’s a dispute at any time during the Slam, the Slam Master’s ruling is final. No appeals, except to the Slam Master, are allowed.

RULES FOR SM & TIME KEEPERS
1. Slam Master ballots to decide order of presentation.

2. Time Keeper(s) deduct 0.1 point for every sec of exceeded time.

3. Time Keeper(s) announce, through the Slam Master, any exceeded time and the deduction after the judges have raised and announced their scores. The penalty is then deducted from the total score.

4. The bottom 1-3 contestants are eliminated (NOT killed o!) in each round.

5. The winner of the final round is announced last – first announce the 2nd Runner up, 1st Runner Up, then the Slam Champion.

RULES FOR AUDIENCE
1. Slam is fun, bear that in mind.

2. Applaud or boo any judge whose score you do not agree with.

3. Show your appreciation of the performance poetry – you are permitted to roll on the ground, jump to high heavens, scream your head off or cry bitterly (perhaps after hearing a brilliant poem you have been trying to write yourself for 10 years!). As you rejoice or weep, remember we will NOT be responsible for any destruction of venue property.

4. Volunteer to judge.

5. 5. Where there’s a dispute at any time during the Slam, the Slam Master’s ruling is final. No appeals, except to the Slam Master, are allowed. That’s why he is the Master of the Slam!