“What shall I say, unto the Lord, all I have to say, is thank you Lord. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord, all I have to say, is thank you Lord.”
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To my Lord my God I give him all the praise.
I got to know about BPPC in my early days as a 100 level students in the tertiary institution. I submitted. And I didn’t make it to the top ten, let alone win.
Since then, I’d been submitting for BPPC at least once or twice in a year. But I wouldn’t just make the top ten.
During FEAST OF WORDS, 2017. I saw that the anthology was been distributed to poets. And I was closed to tears. Like, what actually is going on with me. But I said to myself, next year, my poem must be there.
I submitted for some months as well. And during FEAST OF WORDS 2018, anthology for that year was distributed. And lo and behold, my poem wasn’t there. I collected it, and told two of my friends that I didn’t make it again. I told myself again. Next year, it will be there.
Late last year, I got to meet Sir Ogedengbe Tolu Impact to give him the certificate I collected on his behalf, being the winner of one of the months. We talked around Iwo-Road, till he was set to leave for Ife. Most of the things he exposed me to that day, I held them firmly. It’s more or less like a challenge to me. And I promised him I will do my best.
February 19, 2019. Sir Akinlabi Lolade told me BPPC is out. Humanly speaking, I felt depressed. But I summoned courage and told him, “I’m winning this”. I started preparing like never before. And thank God, the theme was something suitable for me at that moment. I didn’t rush it. Brainstormed. Prayed along. Finished. Prayed. Then submitted.
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Long story cut short, God has just done it. I won the February Edition of BPPC, 2019. One significant thing here is that, I’d been submitting since my 100 level days. I never got shortlisted, let alone won. But now that I just finished my first degree, God did it.
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This is GRACE. Thank you WRR. Thank you Brigitte Poirson. Thank you Sir Tolu Impact for the words of challenge. Thank you Sir Akinlabi Ololade for the words of encouragement. And to my sincere colleagues who helped me for the proofread, thank you all.
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This particular poem is a piece born out of emotion and dreams. That’s why I live for poetry. And I’m glad such has gotten its fulfillment. This is another world for me.
I DEDICATE THIS TO ALL LOVERS OF ART. AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PASSION FOR POETRY, SEEING THE BETTER FUTURE IN IT. LET’S STAY BELIEVING.
Celebrating this together, please, let’s go and download the chapbook. The top finalists’ poems are there. So also the top 30. This is Divine Grace.
https://www.wrr.ng/download/the-feat-chapbook/