The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has urged the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, to rectify the cases of non-payment and short-payment of salaries of hundreds of police personnel across the nation. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how hundreds of police personnel lamented the reduction in their salaries for…

The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has endorsed the Abuja Literary Festival, an initiative of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), slated for June 28-30, 2018 in the nation’s capital. The endorsement was signed by Funebi Otu-Umondak on behalf of the Director-General, Mr Folorunsho Coker. The endorsement states: “The Corporation believes…

Short Story Day Africa (SSDA) has announced the shortlist for its $800 2017/18 Prize with three Nigerian writers listed as possible recipients. The Nigerians are Emmanuel Agugom, Innocent Chizaram Ilo and Tochukwu Emmanuel Okafor. The Prize’s theme, according to brittlepaper.com, is 'ID'—meaning both “identity” and the psychoanalytic concept of the…

Some police personnel have lamented the reduction in their salaries for the past few months saying the situation has worsened their economic plight. The police officcers, cutting across states, said they have had portions from their salaries deducted especially for the months of February, March and April. The officers who…

The Bring Back our Girls Group, (BBOG) has given the Nigerian government and the police 72 hours (three days) to unseal the Unity Fountain, venue of its daily sit-outs, that was sealed by the police a few days ago. The group, while condemning the action of the police reminded them…

A British-Nigerian author, Sarah Ladipo Manyika’s second novel, Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun, and Zinzi Clemmons’ debut novel, What We Lose, have been shortlisted for the 2018 California Book Awards, in the Fiction and First Fiction categories, respectively. Founded in 1931, the California Book Awards, in…

The Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, Henry Purwanto, thrilled a gathering of writers and literary enthusiasts Saturday in Abuja when he gave a talk of contemporary Indonesian literature and lessons for Nigerian literature. An initiative of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), the event held at the Aso Hall of Nanet Suites,…

About 92 persons have finally been given letters of awards under the 2017/2018 Postgraduate Scholarship programme of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations Unit of the agency, Hadiza Umar, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. PREMIUM TIMES had late…

A former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has said President Muhammadu Buhari's claims in Damaturu, Yobe, that he handled the recent abduction of 110 Dapchi schoolgirls 'much better' than Mr. Jonathan treated a similar incident in Chibok in 2014 is false. Reno Omokri in a statement on Thursday rather defended…

The Bring Back our Girls Group, BBOG, has urged the federal government to give accurate details of the number of school-girls recently declared missing in Yobe State after their school was invaded by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. The group which has been, through daily sit-ins and protests, championing the return…

The Bring Back our Girls Group, BBOG, has urged the Nigerian government to reunite the recently released captives of Boko Haram insurgents with the families. The group in a statement signed by Sesugh Akume, Tuesday, said the continued delay in reuniting the former captives with their families was extending their…

Two writers, Todd Moss and Bolaji Olatunde, as well as the alternative rock musician, Bem Sar, will kick-start the 2018 Guest Writer Session series. A press statement signed issued by Edith Yassin for Abuja Writers Forum, AWF, said Todd Moss, author of the Ryker diplomatic thriller series for Penguin’s Putnam…

The Africa Book Club Short Reads Competition has begun accepting submissions for a literary contest. The Africa Book Club Short Reads Competition features short stories drawn from contributors across the African continent. It accepts unpublished fiction and creative non-fiction submissions, not exceeding 3,500 words, and whose setting and context are…

Again, 43 young Nigerians whose awarded scholarships were ‘withdrawn’ under controversial circumstances by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme have cried out against perceived moves to deprive them of the opportunity. PREMIUM TIMES had in September reported how the young Nigerians were left in the lurch…

A cryptocurrency, Bitcoin’s value crossed the $15,000 threshold on Thursday for the first time today, marking another milestone in its dizzying ascent. Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and worldwide payment system. It is the first decentralised digital currency – the system works without a central repository or single administrator. In recent…

Many would perhaps argue that reported cases of suicides across Nigeria in recent months is not a trend but an increasing focus on these tragic occurrences by the media. However, the cases that have attracted public attention lately seem to be taking a disconcerting trend. On October 21, the body of…

A not-for-profit organisation, Words Rhymes & Rhythm, has announced that the third edition of its annual WRR Literary Festival tagged ‘FEAST OF WORDS’ will hold on December 16 in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State. A statement by its organisers sent to PREMIUM TIMES said for the third year…

Nigerian novelist and poet, Helona Habila and Ethiopian-American writer, Maaza Mengiste, have been announced as judges for the Institute for Immigration Research New American Voices Award. The novelists will preside over submissions alongside Booker and Baileys Prize finalist Madeleine Thien, a release by brittlepaper.comindicated on Saturday. The Institute for Immigration Research…

The Bring Back Our Girls Group, #BBOG, has said it would resume its daily protest marches on Tuesday to the State House, after its brief hiatus, to remind the government that it is yet to rescue 113 Chibok girls that were kidnapped on April, 14, 2014.   The group said…

A publishing outfit, MyRainbowBooks Limited, in partnership with E-Gaps, a non-governmental outfit, is organising another round of the National Creative Writing Competition for children in Nigeria. The competition, which is annual and free-to-enter, is in its fourth year. A press statement issued on behalf of the organising team by Isang…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said the nation would be able to overcome its numerous challenges if it could use some of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.  Mr. Jonathan, who inaugurated the conference on March 17, 2014 while he held sway as president, said the conference 'was still…

Renowned English author, Kazuo Ishiguro, on Thursday won the globally acclaimed Nobel Prize in Literature for what the prize committee in Sweden described as ‘‘works that uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world.” In an event monitored on BBC, the committee said that Mr. Ishiguro,…

Five winners have emerged from the Ecuador-Nigeria Young Writers Short Story contest which held under the banner of the Abuja Writers' Forum, AWF and the Ecuadorian government. The writers include Jude Valentine Badaki,Tunde Ososanya, Harry Nzube Nlebedim, Blessing Akinsehinwa and Jojo Altine Elhassan. At the June 24 Guest Writer Session,…

Three budding writers will have an opportunity to win $14,000 each and also get mentorship as the Buzzfeed Emerging Writers Fellowship has commenced the 2018 edition of the usually keenly contested competition. BuzzFeed is a leading independent digital media and tech company which delivers news and entertainment content to a…

Two Nigerian writers, Henry Akubuiro and Mike Ekunno, will feature at the September 30 edition of the Guest Writer Session, a monthly initiative of the Abuja Writers’ Forum, AWF, which holds at the Aso Hall of Nanet Suites, Ekiti House, Abuja. Henry Akubuiro is a journalist, novelist, juvenilia author and…