By Isah Aliyu Chiroma
Michael Imossan has been awarded the 2024 Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets for his collection “All That Refuses to Die.” This prestigious honor comes with a $1,000 cash award and the publication of his manuscript as part of the African Poetry Book Series by the University of Nebraska Press. This award is a significant milestone in Imossan’s career, highlighting his unique voice and contributions to contemporary African poetry.
The judging panel for this year’s Sillerman Prize was composed of esteemed poets and scholars who are notable figures in the literary world. The panel included Chris Abani, Gabeba Baderoon, Aracelis Girmay, John Keene, Matthew Shenoda, Mahtem Shiferraw, and Phillippa Yaa de Villiers. Kwame Dawes, the director of the African Poetry Book Fund and editor-in-chief of the
literary journal Prairie Schooner, also played a crucial role in the selection process. Their collective expertise and dedication to promoting African poetry underscore the significance of this prize in the literary community.
Established in 2013, the Sillerman Prize is supported by philanthropists Laura Sillerman and the late Robert F.X. Sillerman. The prize, in partnership with the University of Nebraska Press, has consistently celebrated the work of emerging African poets from across the continent and the diaspora. It aims to provide a platform for these poets to share their work with a broader
audience, fostering greater appreciation and understanding of African literary traditions.
Gabeba Baderoon, an award-winning poet, scholar, and professor, praised “All That Refuses to Die,” noting its “exquisite language and piercingly memorable lines, elegiac but with an insistence on beauty and love.” Her endorsement reflects the profound impact of Imossan’s work, which resonates deeply with readers and critics alike.
Michael Imossan, an Ibibio poet from Nigeria, has made significant contributions to the field of poetry. In addition to “All That Refuses to Die,” he is the author of an award-winning chapbook, “For the Love of Country and Memory” (Poetrycolumnnd, 2022), and the pamphlet, “A Prelude
to Caving” (Konyashamsrumi, 2023). His work often explores themes of memory, identity, and resilience, offering a poignant and thought-provoking perspective on the human experience. In addition to Imossan’s win, the judges named two manuscripts as finalists: “Adam Vomited the Apple” by Animashaun Ameen and “Ara’Luebo” by Kanyinsola Olorunnisola. These works were
recognized for their exceptional quality and contributions to African poetry, demonstrating the diversity and richness of voices in the contemporary literary landscape.
The 2024 Sillerman Prize for African Poets not only celebrates Michael Imossan’s outstanding achievement but also continues to promote and support the vital work of African poets. Through this prize, the African Poetry Book Fund and its partners seek to amplify the voices of emerging poets and ensure that African poetry receives the recognition it deserves on the global stage.
