Dr Emeka Akabogu, Principal Partner, Akabogu Law, has introduced a Maritime Writing Challenge to promote learning for young Nigerians.
Mrs Ezinne Azunna, Convener/Project Coordinator, The Maritime Writes Project (MWP), said this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
Azunna noted that this was part of activities to mark Akabogu’s 50th birthday.
“The writing contest will be the inaugural edition of Dr Emeka Akabogu Maritime Writing Challenge (DEAM WRICH) and it is being organised by the Maritime Writes Project, in collaboration with the organising committee for the 50th birthday anniversary of Akabogu.
“Promoters of the competition with the theme: “Resurrecting the Dry Bones of the Law”, posit that participants are expected to recreate reported Nigerian maritime cases in the form of compelling stories of 6,000 words maximum.
“The report will follow the style of acclaimed Nigerian historian and lawyer, Onigegewura,” she said.
DEAM WRICH, according to the Azunna, is aimed at promoting learning and creativity in young persons through research and writing.
She pointed out that the criteria for entry include; young persons between 18 and 30 years of age, and all undergraduate students in Universities in Nigeria especially Law students are encouraged to participate.
She added that all entries are expected to be submitted by Jan. 1, 2024.
Announcing the prizes, she stated that the first prize winner of the competition would be rewarded with N250,000; 2nd Place – N150,000; and 3rd Place – N100,000.
“The announcement of winners will be announced at the 50th Birthday Lecture and Books Presentation on Jan. 26 2024.
“Akabogu is the first Nigerian and African PhD awardee in the circa 30-year history of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) International Maritime Law Institute, Malta.
“He is also the Vice Chairman, OTL Africa Downstream Week; Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria International Maritime Summit (NIMS); Senior Partner, Akabogu & Associates; among others,” she said.
She added that the veteran maritime lawyer had published several books with the most recent in 2022, “Ship Arrest in Nigeria”, and it was showcased at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in August 2022.
The eight-chapter and 466-page book is an expansive voyage through the Nigerian law, practice and procedure on ship arrest, designed to assist judges, lawyers, and all those with ship and cargo interests.
“The submission format should have a cover page contain the following details: title, author’s name and age. The word count should be at maximum 6,000 words in 12 point font size and Times New Roman font type.
“Single-line spacing is also specified while sources should be quoted. Entries must include the law report citation the story is sourced from and the final work submitted in PDF format,” she said.
