BY : NURUDEEN AKEWUSHOLA
Thursday, May 03, 2018
Pen press UDUS, a press outfit in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, has on 27th of April opened an entry portal for the 4th edition of the El-Critical writing spree for all students of UDUS in honour of Mr. Ibrahim Jatto, former Editor-In-Chief of the board.
Our correspondent chatted with the initiator of El-critical writing spree, Comrade Ibrahim Jatto, who further reiterated his commitment to the contest.
PEN PRESS: As the initiator of the El-critical writing spree, what are your aims for introducing this writing contest initially?
EL-CRITICAL: The idea behind the EL-CRITICAL Writing Spree Contest is to give back to a platform that has given me everything. Writing especially on the board of Pen press UDUS has nurtured me; it has given me a source of livelihood despite having two degrees. I feel it is a worthwhile project to get upcoming writers on campus to write effectively and I intend to do that by organizing an annual writing contest where the participants are motivated to give their best, thereby becoming a better writer. And in the last three years the contest has been able to unearth talents.
PEN PRESS: During the course of introducing the contest what had been your challenges so far?
EL-CRITICAL: The major challenge has been how to encourage more students to write and be a better writer at the end. Because it is not just to organise the contest but to evaluate, to what extent is the objective of the contest is being realised. At the end we want more students to be motivated to write more on the boards and for national dailies. But I believe it is a matter of time, we will get there.
PEN PRESS: Has the populations of the participants continued to grow?
EL-CRITICAL: Yes, year in year out, there has been increase in number of entries received. That is one of the positives and the green light that the future is bright from just twenty entries in 2015, we recorded 45 in the last edition.
PEN PRESS: Have you ever participated in a contest like this when you were on campus?
EL-CRITICAL: There was none when I was in school. I don't have that luxury to participate.
PEN PRESS: So who motivate you to initiate this /your mentor?
EL-CRITICAL: Nobody specifically, I just feel there is a need for it; I feel there is a need for a competitive contest for young writers to develop.
PEN PRESS: What are the new developments protracted for this year edition?
EL-CRITICAL: This year's edition will for the first time be open to all students of UDUS which is deference from what we have seen in the first 3 editions when it was restricted to only registered campus journalists.
Also, the topic for this year will be purely journalistic, a feature report unlike in the past when the topic are based on opinion and essay
This is intended to create an avenue for the participants to work like a journalist and be more original in what they write.
PEN PRESS: Have you been receiving any financial assistance from any official body to organise this?
EL-CRITICAL: Not yet. Actually I have not seek for sponsorship or support in the past but I have received hands of fellowship from some well-meaning individuals who have promised to support and be part of this year's edition from Lagos.
PEN PRESS: Does that means the endowment will be more elevated this year?
EL-CRITICAL: For this year we hope to introduce cash reward, awards and Books for winners.
PEN PRESS: Your advice for UDUS students and other students on campus
EL-CRITICAL: Simply be consistent in hard work and there is only one outcome at the end success
PEN PRESS: Okay thank you sir, it is our pleasure having an interview with you.
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