Professors Gabriel Okara and JP Clark, two literary giants from the Ijaw Nation, have left an indelible mark on Nigerian literature. Their magnificent contributions to our cultural heritage are undeniable, and their works continue to inspire generations of writers, scholars, and readers across the regions of this nation.
Prof. Gabriel Okara, renowned for his poetry and novels, explored themes of identity, culture, and social justice. His seminal work, “The Voice,” remains a classic of Nigerian literature. Okara’s writing style, blending traditional and modern elements, has influenced many writers.
Prof. JP Clark, a celebrated poet, ingenious playwright, and scholar, drew from Ijaw folklore and mythology to create works that showcased the beauty of the Ijaw culture. His plays, such as “The Wives Revolt”, “The Raft” and “Ozidi,” have become staples of Nigerian theatre.
To honour the their legacy and encourage future generations of writers, establishing literary awards in their names is essential. These awards would preserve their cultural heritage, encourage writers to produce high-quality works that reflect the values and themes of Okara and Clark, inspire new writers to explore themes, styles, and genres pioneered by Okara and Clark, and onnect young writers with the rich literary heritage of the Ijaw People.
To that end, I want to propose that We, the Ijaw Institutions, Organizations and Literary Fanshood and Enthusiasts of these literary creatives establish “The Gabriel Okara Prize for Poetry” to recognize outstanding poetry collections that explore themes of identity, culture, and social justice, and “The JP Clark Award for Drama” to honour exceptional plays that showcase Nigerian/Ijaw culture, folklore, and mythology.
And we can do more with a Okara-Clark Literary Scholarship to support emerging writers with research grants, workshops, and mentorship programs, and come up with Ijaw Literary Festival to celebrate our rich cultural heritage through readings, performances, and discussions.
A committed body working with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Tourism, the NDDC, literary organizations like the Association of Nigerian Authors, universities like the Niger Delta University, agencies like the National Council of Arts and Culture, and lovers of Literature across the globe will launch this Literary Dream into limelight.
By establishing these literary awards, we are ensuring that Professors Okara and Clark’s cultural importance is perpetuated, inspiring future generations to cherish and build upon Ijaw’s rich literary heritage.
Past strides in this regard are acknowledged, but let’s get it done again, and done rightly and consistently this time. In honouring these literary ambassadors, we are actually marketing our Culture to the world, and encouraging cultural patriotism among ourselves.
Their literary contemporaries like Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe are being promoted and celebrated annually by their people. Let’s do same for our own.
By Tobouke JEMINE
