CALL FOR SUBMISSION

CREATIVE CREW AFRICA is pleased to announce her CALL FOR SUBMISSION into her first issue in the OKIRIKA JOURNAL, an online quarterly journal.

All contributors are allowed to write on any topic of their choice, in their selected genres.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

1. All works must be original and properly edited.
2. A maximum of three works per person.
3. A short biography of yourself should be attached with your submission.
4. The subject line should be "OKIRIKA JOURNAL (GENRE)". For example, "OKIRIKA JOURNAL (POETRY)".

Submissions should be sent to creativecrewafrica@gmail.com

Submission begins from Monday, 19th December, 2016.

Submission deadline: Wednesday, 1st March, 2017.

Editors:

• Valentine Mbagu
• Sylvanus Omoniyi
• John Vincent Chizoba
• Ndubuisi George
• Abeiku Arhin Tsiwah
• Obi Innocent

Announcer:

Amb. Ude Ibiam Ufiem

Editor-in-Chief

9JA @ 56

As Nigeria marks her 56th Independent Anniversary today, we, Words Rhymes & Rhythm Ltd. believe there is no better way to celebrate than to buy books authored by Nigerian writers. Because our writers played a major role in winning and keeping the freedom we so celebrate.

#Buy a Nigerian Book to celebrate Nigeria @ 56 http://wrr.ng

BY:

Kukogho Iruesiri Samson

Words Rhymes and Rhythm Ltd.

9JA @ 56

Nigeria is the home of great beauties, great marvels of which I am one and you are one too. Let us count out blessings and keep celebrating our great nation.


- Dr. Ngozi Chumah Udeh(Author & Member, ANA, Anambra State)

9JA @ 56

MOTHERLAND IS 56

There came a time in the history of Nigeria when she dreamed for independence.

There came a moment in the history of Nigeria when she groaned to gain freedom from the British.

There came a season in the history of Nigeria when she desired to obtain independence from her rulers. 

The moment when she seeked her elites to stand up and fight for independence.

The season when she awaited the voice and appearance of her freedom fighters

The moment when she believed that independence was ready to answer the call of nature in her country. 

She believed in freedom and independence for her country and its occupants, and not colonisation and exploitation from the British colony.

She believed in fighting for freedom and independence than dying a coward.

She believed in her elites efforts to obtain her independence and sovereignty. 

She believed in independence and freedom which she got.

The death of her elites and freedom fighters was never in vain.

This is Nigeria at 56 and she is still a sovereign and independent country.

BY:

©Vabec

_______________________________________________________

Vabec is a Shakespearean writer and poet, whose words are curled from both the knowledge of the known and the unknown...

9JA @ 56

GIANT OF AFRICA

Ancient Mother of Africa

Daughter of Planet Earth

Fruitful Daughter of Africa with 36 children birthed from her loins

Her wisdom beyond comprehension

Yet the strive between her children above imagination

She fought like a Lion; struggling solely for the independence of her Beloved Children

Her Creator hears her cry and dries her tears in her year of Jubilee 1960

She raises Generals from among her fruits

To lead her seeds aright

From her first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

And her first Prime Minister, Sir. A. Tafawa Balewa

Even unto her first Military Head of State, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi

The unity of her children she so desired

She thus raised another Anchor Gen. Yakubu Gowon

Yet her hunger for unity not satisfied

She bred Gen. Murtala Muhammed

And enthroned Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo

"Peace!! O peace for my Seeds!"

"Who will give my Children unity?"

"Will you, Alh. Shehu Shagari?"

"Or Will You, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari?"

She clung her trust to Gen. Ibrahim Babangida

Praying yet for hope in Chief Ernest Shonekon;

Her appointed Interim President

Her hope grows weary yet her faith keeps breeding

“Oh! Gen. Sanni Abacha can I trust you?” she asked.

Wearied and drained she prays for Gen. Abdulsalaam Abubakar,

“Gen. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo can you help your blood?” She echoes!

"Ye all are one! When I strove for freedom I fought for you all!"

"Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'adua unite my lost ones!"

"Dr. Goodluck Ebere Jonathan, don't fail me"

She wails!!

She weeps! She mourns as she sees all her struggles,

Her escape from death almost in vain,

Yet another is on the lead

“Gen. Muhammad Buhari Will you but yet again fail me?”

I hear her cry

Piercing deep into my ears

Awake!!

Arise All!!

Let's uphold our own for we are one

Only in prayers do I have my hope.

I won't give up on mine.

I won't give up on Nigeria

#ThePrayingKnee

#IWon'tGiveUpOnMotherAfrica

#WontGiveUpOnYouGiantOfAfrica

#PrayForNigeria

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE!!

BY:

Faith Cyril

(Member, Creative Crew Africa)

_________________________________________________________

Okeke Faith Chinazam (also known with her pen name – Faith Cyril) is an undergraduate student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She is a poet, an author and all literary genres writer. She is a pillar of Creative Crew Africa.

9JA @ 56

I sent a eulogy through my ink.

For the maiden in silver and green.

But it was drowned by emotions.

The elegant woman of Africa.

As beautiful as a mammy watta.

Please hold my shivering hands.

And quench my bleeding heart.

The East sun is asleep.

The North wind clammed up.

Remote echoes of crickets produced songs of sorrow.

We have swallowed morsels of pain.

Tears flew like well of flowing grub.

I can hear the drum beat of disunity in many hearts.

My eyes cooked a salty soup for my cheeks.

Dear mother I pledge to share your pain.

And rejoice when you rejoice.

I shall travel through the imaginary world.

In search of the Alien that blinded you with philtre.

And made you gulp a cup of acid.

Oh maiden in silver and green.

In weariness you fought to shelter me.

At the old age of your life.

You produced children and fed all.

I shall walk through the aisle.

With my litany to the altar.

And I shall rejoice when your sanity is fully restored.

BY:

Okafor Christabel

(Member, Creative Crew Africa)

_____________________________________________________________

Okafor Christabel is a motivational speaker, writer, poet and a novelist. She has touched many lives with her works on social media (where she has vowed to transform many souls) reaching out for one goal: Good. She is also a pillar of Creative Crew Africa.

9JA @ 56

NAIJA MY NAIJA

(I'm Raising Your Flag Higher)

I see the horizon ahead

God's grace will lead

For my people

For my beloved Naija!

No matter how hard

For you to stand

I will hope for you.

I believe in you!

The blood that flows

In my people's veins

Is blood of agility

Not easy to be shaken!

The hurdles you are facing

All of these will make you stronger

Fight for your breathrough

God will see you through.

As you mark your 56th years

Of freedom, God bless you

Naija my Naija

I'm raising your flag higher!

#Happy Independence Day Naija#

I'm Raising your Flag Higher.

BY:

Poetess Erah Oalind, California, USA.