On Saturday August 4th 2018, Ikeogu Chinemerem Chibuikem was declared winner of the inaugural 33 Export Lager #pendownforfriendship writing powered by Nigerian Breweries (NBL).
The announcement was made at the 33 Export Lager City of Friends set up at Eagle Square Surulere.
Chimerem received a N500,000 training grant, a brand new laptop and 3 crates or 33 Extra Lager for his entry “One in a Trillion Friend”. The prize was presented by the duo of Emmanuel Agu and Uzodinma Onuoha of NBL.
The 2nd and 3rd prizes went to Adeoye Emmanuel Aanu and Ben Chuks respectively who got N300,000 and N200,000 training grants as well as laptops and crates of 33 Export Lager.
The award had as judges award winning writers Toni Kan and Peju Awofeso as well as Bisi Deji- Folutile. The jurors received 160 entries from which they arrived at a shortlist of 10 and then the winners.
Announcing the winners, Toni Kan, Head Juror said: “We received about 200 entries from a wide range of writers and in different styles but despite their unique perspectives they were all united in celebrating the exhilarating joy and amazing beauty of friendship.0
There were stories that riffed on the romantic, the filial, the erotic, the maternal and even between man and dog.
The writers showed that friendship is universal and eternal.
Tonight we celebrate the best of the lot by awarding the first prize to our unanimous choice – Ikeogu Chinemerem Chibuikem for his entry “One in a Trillion Friend”.
