IHRAM African Secretariat
The International Human Rights Art Movement has two offices in Africa. The first, and oldest (since 2020) is run by Wole Adedoyin, President of the Society of Young Nigerian Authors, the IHRAM African Secretariat, based in Ibadan, Nigeria, uses the IHRAM values of beauty, sincerity, vulnerability, engagement and celebrating diversity to run creative programming around issues of concern throughout Africa.
The second, based in Kenya, is run by Grace Suge, IHRAM International Fellow in 2022, as well as IHRAM published writer and award winner.
We are always looking for more passionate, committed and creative activists in Africa to open further offices!
Together, we partner with our African offices to highlight human rights defenders and sponsor contests to continue raising awareness of the struggle for human rights in Nigeria, Kenya and around the African continent, as well as the hurdles they face in terms of corruption, police brutality and the government's sometimes indifference to the rights of its citizens.
Wole Adedoyin, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat, Nigeria
Grace Suge, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat, Kenya
IHRAM African Secretariat News:
African Spoken Word Contest
The African Spoken Word contest received 31 passionate entries from countries around Africa, and Africans living in the diaspora. The winners and honorable mentions were announced in late November, 2023. Click on the title to hear and see the spoken word piece!
First Prize
Suffer In Silence
by Jon Kote, Nigeria
Second Prize
Voice Against Child Trafficking
Chanjoh Rexson Ngong, Cameroon
Third Prize
Let's Be The Mender
Adetola Eyimofe Jerry-Adesewo, Nigeria
Honorable Mention
Oyamo Richard
Richiepoet the Artist, Kenya
Lillian Sheridan Jenda, Malawi
Othman Amina, Nigeria
Chukwu, Chisom Loretta, Nigeria
We Want To Be Children, Not Brides!
Gugulethu Matshazi Dube, Zimbabwe
Chosen by jurors Wole Adedoyin and Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, these works stood out from 72 submissions from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi, USA, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Pakistan and Ghana.
First Prize: Steve Biko Prize
VICTOR DAMILOLA GARUBA: Water Maid
Victor Damilola Garuba is a Nigerian short story writer and poet who finds his inspiration largely in mythological cosmology. His works appear in Brittle Paper, African Writer and Writers Space Africa.
Second Prize: Prof. Pius Adesanmi Prize
CHUKWU SUNDAY ABEL: You Are a Criminal
Chukwu Sunday Abel (Sunday Obiageli) is an Igbo-born journalist and writer whose literary works have been published in anthologies and magazines across four continents. He is a three-time nominee for pushcart literary prize; a winner of the Creators of Justice Literary Award by the International Human Rights Art Festival Awards, New York; and a finalist in the 2020 National EndSARS Poetry Competition Against Police Brutality in Nigeria.
Third Prize: Binyavanga Wainaina Prize
OLUSOJI OBEBE: At The End Of The Rainbow
Olusoji Obebe is a young Nigerian poet, fiction writer and essayist, nominated for BoTN and currently studying law at the University of Benin. He is a member of HCAF(Lagos) and recipient of PROFWIC ACHIEVERS AWARD 2022. Reach him on Instagram @olusojiobebe and Twitter, @olusoji_obebe.
African Short Story Contest
June 2023
IHRAM African Secretariat
publishes
Voices of Africa
Speaking Truth to Power
Curated and edited by African Secretariat Editor Dr. Uche Akunebu
March 2023
"Speaking Truth to Power anthology is a harvest of fertile poetic minds that revolts and roars like lions in the jungle when things go south. And as the African continent grapples with challenges that torpedoes her greatness, the anthology remains a one-stop shop for people searching for patriots, conscience of nations, freedom
fighters, human right activists, democrats, creative geniuses, and poets with perfect craft. Immerse yourself in the messages in the anthology. The African leaders and African continent will no doubt get her developmental rhythm right, to the glory of all Africans."
Dr. Uche Akunebu, Professor at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, Nigeria, Curator/Editor
“Peace” by Christopher Samuel Idowu
In honor of IHRAM Africa’s one year anniversary, Director Wole Adedoyin and IHRAM African Outreach Coordinator Mbizo Chirasha, collected work from 12 writers and 4 artists from the Continent, to highlight the work, the passion and the positive intention of these African artivists. The title of the anthology is “Songs of Peace”, and represents another important creative chapter in the work of IHRAF Africa. With our great appreciation to our Brothers in Spirit, Wole and Mbizo!
Read more from the
IHRAF African Secretariat:
