I have no Fear of the Future - Akinjobi Oluwagbemisola

Can we meet you?

 Guest: My name is Akinjobi Oluwagbemisola, an unashamed Christian.

With the extra feather to your cap, how did you feel when you were announced as a category winner in The New Man Gospel Writing Contest, 2022?

Guest: At the time of the result announcement, I felt a sense of nervousness but on seeing the results, I could say I was a little surprised because I was expecting to do well but not to the extent of winning and the earlier nervousness was due to "what ifs".

What are your writing aspirations for the future?

Guest: My writing aspirations for the future is to appear on the biggest print networks in Nigeria and all other parts of the world as a multi-award winning writer.

What other things do you do apart from writing.

Guest: Apart from writing, I'm actively a student - studying medicine at the University of Ibadan. I also do a bit of graphics design.

As regards your dreams and aspirations, what is/are your greatest fear(s)?

Guest: I do not think I'm fearful of anything regarding my future aspirations.

What and Who inspires your writing?

Guest: My family and my God inspires me to write. I want to make known just how good God is and I want to solve some problems of mankind through our own experiences.

When did you start writing? Can you give us a background story?

Guest: I started writing in April 2021. I was at church and my Pastor was preaching about "Stepping out with the gospel" and somehow, I felt the way for me to step out was by writing. I began to look out for openings for writers and I came across the New Man application. So, I applied and the journey started.

What would you love to say to encourage other writers?

Guest: To other writers out there, I'll like to tell you to remain tenacious with what you do because someday, there will be a great reward and an expected end of success.

What do you think about the New Man Gospel Writing Contest? What new things do you hope to see in subsequent editions?

Guest: The New Man writing contest is what the body of Christ needs at this time and I'm thankful for the organisation. For subsequent editions, I wish to see more winners recognised per category as this creates an avenue for more creatives to be rewarded.

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New Man Movement Shortlists 100+ in 2022 Gospel Writing Contest

Coming few days after the official closure of it's submission portal, the New Man Movement, in a press release on its website has announced the release of it's final shortlist for the New Man Gospel Writing Contest 2022. 

The shortlist which contained about 100 entries was selected from a handful of poems, articles, stories and drama pieces which were submitted over the open period from January 31st through March 11th, 2022.

In our earlier report, we gathered that the 2022 edition of the writing contest which has held yearly since 2016 is a gospel writing contest where creative writers across the genres of poetry, drama, prose and article writing are given a space to show their literary expertise. 

We also reported that Nelson Vincent Ayomitunde, President of the New Man Movement revealed through the release on the website that the writing contest has evolved to recognise the efforts and excellence of Christian writers as well as showing them to the world thus, propagating the gospel through creative writing.

The New Man Gospel Writing contest which is in its sixth year is a fully gospel writing contest with the theme, Burning Altars which is taken from the Bible book of Leviticus 6:12.

According to the organisers of the writing contest, entries are open to all Christians and true believers without restrictions to age, race, nationality or location. Submission of entries into the New Man Writing Contest is also free.

Mr Nelson Vincent while speaking to our correspondent on Monday also added that while the participants are currently engaged in an online voting process on the ministry's website, the New Man Writing Contest judges are tirelessly working to ensure that winners emerge in the coming weeks. According to him, the judges including James Coburn, OlaKristi Ayo Obiremi and himself are seasoned literary writers who will look into the entries to select the final winners in the coming weeks.

New Man Movement Releases 2018 Gospel Writing Contest Final Shortlist

In an official press release signed by Mr. Nelson Vincent Ayomitunde, the Lead Director of the New Man Movement,, via the organisatioon's website (www.thenewman.org.ng), the list of the final shortlist in the writing contest was made public.

In an interview, the president mentioned that the writing contest started the receipt of entries form November 2017 and ended in March this year with a total of 1007 entries. 

 

The New Man Writing Contest is yearly organised for students of secondary schools in Africa in honour of H.R.M, Oba Adedokun Abolarin Omoniyi, the Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun.

According to the release, having properly selected of 1007 interesting entries in total, (314 prose works, 73 drama/short plays and 613 poems) the New Man Writing Contest 2018 published the entries, being recorded as the final shortlist. 

The organisation acknowledged the fact that it was a great privilege to read through miles in the minds of the writers while mentioning that it was an uphill task in selecting the entries in the final shortlist.

At the same time, we are greatly indebted to our volunteers, imdividuals and members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), members of Poets In Nigeria (PIN), members of Creative Writers Association of Nigeria (CWAN) and other literary bodies that ensured the speedy selection of these works.

While we proceed to the final judgement stage where our diligent judges would make the top three selections, we wish all shortlisted entrants, a big congratulations and pray for all the best in this last stage.

Here is the list of the final shortlisted entries:

Poetry-
1. He who mends the world- Adeyoju Adewale Joshua
2. Afreeca- Oyindamola Deborah Tadese
3. The fall of Africa by Oladoyin Ayodeji Victor
4. I am born in a time by Olajide Rotimi Philip
5. Too Late by Christian Ofori David
6. Ajike- Lawal Tobiloba
7. Mama Africa by Olanrewaju Abdulazeez

Prose
1. Imagine by Opeyimika Aremu
2. Ifeoma by Enomah Exploit Ebubechukwu

Drama
1. Royalty and the Tyrant by Jimoh OluwaTobi
2. Is this the Harvest of Our Days? by Muhammad Aural Ibrahim

Congratulations!