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Meet Your Judge- Inufin Ayomide

Meet one of our Judges, Inufin Ayomide D’great. He is a poet per excellence who has excelled in and mastered the art of making English conform to his writing whims.

Owing to his writing prowess, Ayomide has recently been profiled by Wikipedia as a globally recognized poet.

Some of his 12 achievements are:

* 2004 Goshen Boys & Girls writing competition (runner up)

* Best orator and winner 2015 Professor Atinmo oratory competition, University of Ibadan

* 2016 MidasMinds Literary Inc winner Short story category

* 2017 PCG Dynamite Awards Overall best poet, most creative writer, best Poetry collaboration

* 2018 runner up Poetry & Prose Hood Valentine competition

* 2018 PCG Dynamite Awards Overall best poet, most creative writer, best Poetry collaboration, King of the year, Poem of the year with the poem *Ayo has a boyfriend*, writerolic of the year.

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Flash Fiction Writing Contest Shortlist

The list of the top 20 stories to qualify for the judging stage is ready. The list was compiled following five-day the voting process where some stories had almost 300 votes to their names.

Shortlisted writers for Flash Fiction Writing Contest:

1. Dela Azojani Adeorike

2. Stephen Ezennwa

3. Jesutofunmi Fekoya

4. Hauwa Hala Nuraddeen

5. Umeh Prisca Ijeoma

6. Deborah Johnson

7. Nana Khadija Yahaya

8. Mary Emmanuel Bawa

9. Eniola Balogun

10. Idris Ayanfe

11. Chiziterem Chijioke

12. OYENIRAN TOFUNMI EUNICE

13. Ruqayyah Saghir Nabage

14. Yunusa Ibrahim

15. Gift Ukay

16. Ishola Ubaidah

17. Annie Ifinedo

18. Rabi Lawal

19. Aisha Bint Mahmud

20. Khadija Musa

All 20 shortlisted stories were beautifully relayed but only three will winners will be announced on the 28th.

The judges will judge based on story line, theme, how well the rules were followed, diction, punctuation and many other factors.

2nd Runner up- N2,000

1st runner up- N3,000

Winner- N10,000.

May the very best story win. Best of luck to all.

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The Love-Hate Relationship Between I And Myself

The relationship between myself and I is a love-hate one. I love myself, I absolutely do but there’s this lady, her name is ‘I’, she resides somewhere- I’m not sure where but I think it’s either my brain, my mind or my body. Sometimes I think ‘I’ is my shadow but then she lingers even after I can see no visible shadow. ‘I’ is more than the physical or tangible, in fact the fact that she’s not tangible makes her more powerful.

‘I’ is annoying, she annoys me to no end because she is too dauntless and daring and adventurous and she lands me in trouble all the time. Are you looking for bad advice cookie? That’s ‘I’. And she nags so much I find it hard to ward her off so to make her keep shut and have her off my case, I just go along with it… bad decision.

I want to lose weight so I try to cut down on food portions and avoid ‘bad’ food and even when I see a super juicy and cheesy chunk of junk, I direct my mind away by myself, but not ‘I’, ‘I’ redirects me. She comes with this super therapeutic voice and goes ‘do you really want to do this to yourself Hafsah? Do you really not want to indulge in this piece of edible luxury? You only live once you know’ and she is sooo good like an expert siren, I usually end up trailing her demands.

And later when I’m drowning in the guilt of it, she sits cross-legged on a plush chair by the side of the grey cube room that’s my mind and smirks to herself. She’s usually writing on a notepad- that’s one thing myself and ‘I’ have in common- and I think she’s scoring herself. By now it will probably read: ‘myself’ 7- 10834893 ‘I’.

‘I’ doesn’t like letting go of people so even when I have a crush on a guy and I want to move on, ‘I’ pushes me to just check his Instagram page one more time for updates, ‘It helps with the healing process’ she says. But she’s lying because I end up stalking him for three more hours….unhealthily.

‘I’ is (am) a hoarder. Like when she tells me I need stuff I don’t need. She’s like ‘Hafsah we are going to need this in the future, keep it’ and the future comes, and it goes and we never need it but we’ve kept it.

And she even hoards memories, some good ones- I must give her credit- but she hoards even the unnecessary, bad ones and that makes her hold grudges like an expert in the field of grudge keeping (there’s a pun lying here somewhere).

For example there’s a family gathering yeah? And I see that cousin and I’m approaching her because I want to catch up and… ‘I’ actually stops me. She says ‘remember when you were 4 years 7 months 1 week old and this cousin flicked a lit up match at you and it burned your arm? You still want to talk to her after THAT?!!! And the memory comes back anew, I feel the pain of the matchstick sizzle on my arm and I make a 360 turn away from the cousin. ‘I’, you are here on banned from interfering with my family life ever again.

When I learn a new song (which is usually some few lines), I don’t like letting ‘I’ know. Because when she gets hold of those lines, God in Heavens! It takes the whole spirit of the Earth to make her stop endlessly chanting them like a breathing mantra. And it annoys me because it’s stuck in my head every moment! But ‘I’ enjoys it. She just loves tormenting me.

You think you have naysayers? Mine resides within! This lady is my worse critic. Everything I do is subject to judgement. I can’t try to look pretty in front of the mirror, ‘I’ will start dissing me. And if so help me God I try to dance or worse sing, ‘I’ contorts her face like she’s smelling poop and grimaces, I’ll have to shamefully stop. That’s why I don’t like taking pictures because ‘I’ calls each of them ugly save one or two. Because of that, I may take 100 pictures and two days later, I’ll delete the lot to one or two. The ones approved by ‘I’. I hate her guts.

I know you are thinking I should let go of her and I’ve thought about it but even as I’m typing this right now, she’s in here laughing her heads off (wickedly) because she knows she’s here to stay. She knows she’ll outlive me, because I know that house, my mind will breathe and exists even after my body gives up the ghost.

And I can’t mute her because in between it all, she drops the most amazing writing and story ideas. She’s my perfectly ever-engaging muse. That’s where our love relationship comes in. I love her for the endless supply of stories she provides. Ever wondered why my stories are usually sadistic? Well….

And she’s my gossip partner, who else will I laugh about my boss with? Most times when you see me laughing to myself, it’s myself and I sharing an inside joke. And she spins the most romantic stories when she’s on her monthly’s. And she can be sweet in a mean way. She comes up plenty horrible ways to get back at people many of which I thankfully forcefully dismiss.

‘I’ is (am) a creative fellow, sometimes mean but usually to me and generally, there’s not a single dull moment between ‘I’ and myself.

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Entry 36

Title: Different 

By Dela Azojani Adeorike

Samson was Delilah’s little piece of heaven and she was everyone’s desire. The six months with him had been a bed of roses until fourteen days ago.  Samson had invited her for a party. At the party, she couldn’t find him. She asked few people,” please am I his keeper?” said another hissing and cursing…when she found him, “meet me upstairs in five minutes’ time”Samson said giving her a snack. Walking up the stairs, shecollapsed at the door. With nausea, she ran to the bathroom for a puke only to feel something roll down her thighs. Delilah had been waiting him, but he wasn’t welcoming at all. ” where have you been? I have been worried sick about you, don’t you know-” Delilah said but he cuts in ” madam you don’t need to worry about me, hope your whole adventure with those guys was mind-blowing like they said”. He was gone before she could reply. Thinking of the whole incident, she found herself at Samson’s door, he had planned the gang rape and spread that she was a cheerful giver.  She waltzed in with a gun, points samsonand smiling, she pulled the trigger… 

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Entry 35

Aisha Madaki

Sandra was raped by some street guys at the age of 14 when she was in High School, she was expelled because of the pregnancy she got. Both her parents were dead so she lived with her neighbors because her relatives weren’t there for her. She was sent out of her neighbors’ house because of the pregnancy and the society wasn’t there to protect her. She took care of herself despite so much difficulties moving from this job to another. After giving birth to her baby girl, Ana, she made it her biggest priority to protect the girl. She met a guy, Andrews who usually visits the cafe she works at then. When the baby was 3years old, They got married. He’s a commercial Driver. He took care of her and her Daughter. Sandra got the chance and went back to school. They were living a contented life.

Ana is now 8 years old, she’s growing well and started going to school. Her Mother protects her in all possible ways. 

One unfortunate Night, Andrews got back home very drunk, Sandra was helping him relax when she found gun inside his pocket. She was deadly scared, he wasn’t in his senses so she hid the gun inside drawer. He woke up later and couldn’t ask her of the gun, he thought maybe he dropped it in the car they robbed together with his friend.

“I’ll get it in the morning” He concluded 

Sandra was in dilemma, she trusted and loved Andrews so much, buh seeing him with gun scared her. 

“what was he doing with a gun?” “How do I know the truth?” She was very confused. 

“I need to protect Ana” She added

Andrew woke up early as usual, he kept smiling without reason. Sandra was scared wether he found out the hidden gun. He cleared his throat and to her surprise he wasn’t talking about the gun

“Today is our 5th anniversary if you’ve forgotten, I want us to go out for dinner in the evening” 

Sandra was very happy to hear that, she hasn’t forgotten about it, but the night was an unfortunate one. 

“Thank you Andrews, we’ll be ready by 7PM ” She said 

Ana was very happy, it’s the first time she’d be having dinner outside with her parents. 

Andrew went back home around 6PM, Sandra and Ana were already set to go. He went to change when someone called his phone. The phone kept ringing, Sandra took the phone and at that instant a message popped in.. 

“You can never disappoint us after waiting for good 5years, it’s either you bring that girl to us or we kill your wife together with your 3 kids” she couldn’t stand again, she fell down in tears. Ana rushed to her asking “Mum what happened? Is anything wrong? Tell me please”

“Ana you must leave this house, go to our Neighbor Miss Blessing, I’ll come and pick you there” 

“What do you mean Mum, we are going out for dinner with Dad”

“Don’t call him Dad again, He’s a wicked Person, listen to your Mum okay. We don’t have time, tell her that she shouldn’t tell anyone you are there, I’ll come myself to take you, if I didn’t she should keep hiding you there please” 

“Mum…”

“Ana run, we don’t have time, he can be here any second. Just run” she pushed her out of the house

“Let’s go, wait where’s Ana?” Andrews interrogated 

“I sent her out” 

“What do you mean?”

“What are you planning on doing with my daughter? Who are you giving my daughter to? Did you married me because of my daughter? Who are you?” Sandra Shouted in tears giving him his phone

He grabbed her by neck and said “Now that you figured it out tell me where that girl is, it’s the only thing that will spare your life” 

“Even if you’ll kill me I won’t tell you”

“You think I won’t? Let me tell you, I’ve never loved you for a second, I have a woman I love with 3 Children. Can’t you see I couldn’t have a child with you. You are nothing but trash, with nobody in this earth to help you, I want your daughter at this age to make sacrifice and become billionaire, after that I can think of making you my mistress”

Painful tears kept dropping from Sandra’s eyes. She regretted the whole of her meeting Andrews. Her heart was shattered. Her breathe seized. She was in all of Shock and Agony. Five years of marriage, only to find out the Person she sees as Husband is a monster. She kept solving puzzles; He works every day and night, sometimes for a whole of a week, month and even more. He’s been definitely going to his Family. Not only that he’s a Robber, he now wants to sacrifice my only child, the only reason I’m putting a strong face as if my heart isn’t burdened..

“Where is the Bastard??” His shout brought her back to life. 

“Kill me and I’ll tell you in Hell” She muttered 

“I’ll end this today” He angrily went to the car he drove. She ran and brought out the gun she hid. He came in with nothing only to find what he was looking for in her hands. He’s now the one in shock. How did she get this? What the hell is this? He suddenly remembered last night; she took it then, he concluded. 

“Don’t think of pulling this trigger, you don’t know the consequences” 

“I don’t care wether I’ll end up killed or imprisoned as long as I’ll protect my daughter”

“Sandra don’t, remember how I took care of you, I was the only person that took you in. I protected you and provided you with everything you wanted…” He kept reminding her of the good deeds he did to her

Sandra was confused, He showed her love and care, He gave her so much Happiness, Her only daughter sees him as Father…” But it’s the same daughter he wanted to sacrifice now, he’s taking her away from you, he’s going to kill her and then kill you” she told herself 

She looked at him as he knelt pleading her to spare his life. She finally made a decision…Smiling, She pulled the trigger….

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Entry 34

By Stephen Ezennwa

I thought we were done;

She said I was gonna miss her; no doubts I did, but this?

No, I didn’t bargain for this, none of this.

I broke up with her over the phone and thirty minutes later she was at my apartment;

We talked it out;

She told me that it wasn’t going to be easy for her to move on;

But she promised me she’d be fine;

I made her promise me that she won’t do anything drastic;

She left with tears in her eyes;

Even at the moment I broke up with her I loved her;

Seven months later, I’m at Kilimanjaro getting myself treated to a nice meal, courtesy of Phay, my new girlfriend;

After not seeing her for so long, She walks out of nowhere looking like she’s been on some strong shit, wearing a pair of boots and raggedy clothing;

Merely looking at her I knew she hadn’t gotten over it;

I rushed over to where she was and gave her a hug;

Phay opened up for one but she wasn’t taking any of that;

She joined us at the table, we talked, ate, laughed just like old times but she carefully avoided talking directly to Phay;

She said it was time for her to leave;

She stood up and told me to look her straight into the eyes whilst bringing something out of her bag;

“Don’t worry dear” Phay said, thinking she wanted to foot the bill.

Still looking at her, she brought out a pistol and pointed it at Phay and asked me 

“Is she the reason you left me?” 

“I was willing to change for you but I guess you wanted someone else.” 

….. Smiling, she pulled the trigger.

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Entry 33

TAKEN

By Jesutofunmi Fekoya. 


Rukkaya adjusted, looking for a comfortable position. It was hard to find one with the ropes tightly binding her wrists and legs. For several days, she had been kept in that foul smelling house with the same cloth they had taken her with. 
The day another girl was brought, Rukkaya’s once forgotten plans to escape were revived. The girl looked like a seven year old and yet she had suffered much. Her eyes were swollen and her face was covered in bruises. She was thrown to the floor and left there. 
When Rukkaya asked her to help release her bonds, she didn’t expect much. But the young girl still had fire in her. Groaning in pain, she sat up and crawled towards her. It took several hours to untie her, hours which felt like days to Rukkaya. Finally, the ropes were off, just in time because one of her captors entered. Like a bullet, the little girl pounced on the man, taking him unaware. He tripped and something slid towards Rukkaya, bringing her out of her shock. 
A smile spread on her face as she picked up the gun and trained it on him. Smiling, she pulled the trigger. 

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Entry 32

By Jummai Umar

“Greetings, Jonathon.” She patted her purse, making sure all her belongings were inside and smiled. Jonathon was surprised to see her—how would she know his business at the port? 

“What a welcome surprise.”, he said in a friendly tone, trying to conceal his nervousness. “What brings you here?” 

“I never thought you would disrespect our mother so openly.”, she said, gesturing to the bodies on the ship, being transported to a life of servitude. 

“You know I have no choice. Business is booming, and you see what types of returns these good provide me.”, Johnathon said in a patient, yet condescending voice. He was the wealthiest man in town.

“Have you forgotten who we are? Those people are our brothers.” she said calmly. She looked into his eyes, searching for any remorse, any excuse for her to delay his fate. She adjusted her purse. 

“It doesn’t matter. Money is money.” He turned and waved as he walked towards his ship. 

“And your money– and life shall come to an end.” She reached into her purse. Her mother always told her that she would have no choices in life, just things she had to do. Smiling, she pulled the trigger.  

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Entry 31

An Act Of Mercy

By Hauwa Hala Nuraddeen

She’d always known that it would come to this.

Since she was six and innocent, before she saw her father gather her mother in his arms, pepper kisses down her neck, encouraging her to press the razor on her skin so it would send blood flowing; ever since his eyes gleamed when her mother’s blood flowed down her arms.

The first time she made a bullet puncture flesh and spill blood, it was her mother she shot.

“It’s an act of mercy.” Her father gathered her into his arms, “She thanks you, I’m sure of it.”

She giggled and blew him kisses, her eyes, bright, staring into his fearful yellow eyes. “Please.” He pleaded and she laughed, “Spare me.”

In that moment, she remembered her mother’s eyes and how her father had sucked out all her happiness, how he coaxed her mother to tear her skin to please him, how her brother screamed when her father stubbed his cigarettes using his skin, she withered each time he coaxed her to split her skin open or spread her thighs for strangers.

“It’s an act of mercy.” His eyes widened, “You’ll thank me. I’m sure of it.”

Smiling, she pulled the trigger.

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Entry 30

By Umeh Prisca Ijeoma

          Crowing cocks and screeching birds together with the rays of light that found it’s way through her window, announced the dawn of the morning. It’s been exactly two months she had been living with this stranger who saved her from her captors despite being one of them. She’s still perplexed as to why Ruth saved her.          Learning of the reason for her caption and torture and the person responsible wasn’t easy to take in but she had to as all evidence pointed against her. She developed great hatred and had one primary goal in her heart – to kill the source of her pain.Arming herself adequately, she went to the house where she had lived for seven years with this devil’s incarnate. She saw him having fun with his mistress whom was the reason she was treated the way she was. She was moved to tears as the sweet thoughts of the time they spent together came rushing back to her head. Unfortunately, the hatred she now felt overpowered it and she had to put on a lingering smile. She louded the revolver and pointed the gun at him, smiling, she pulled the trigger.

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