War of Words Poetry Slam may not be a group-by-group contest, but has always shown a traceable origin of its past winners and runner-ups to the Figures Of Speech Movement (FOS).
When it comes to slam poetry competitions in Nigeria, many enthusiasts would agree that Figures of Speech Movement- one of the fastest rising literary platforms in sub-saharan Africa has produced more champions and runner-ups than any other literary platform. Doubt this? Well, let's take a cursory look at these:
SLAM CHAMPIONS FROM FOS MOVEMENT
*War of words 3(2014) - Graciano Enwerem
*War of Words 4(2014)- Paul Word (#WOW6 contestant)
*Be Blessed (BB)10 (2015)- Prestige Ifeanyi Bernard
*Abuja Literary Slam (2015) - Kemistree Bakare
*Eko Poetry Slam (2015) - Joy Nnebuogo Nwanokwai (JYC) (#WOW6 contestant)
*SOS Poetry Slam 1.0 -‘16 Toby Abiodun (#WOW6 contestant)
*Be Blessed (BB)12 (2016) Ajijola Habeeb Da Beloved (#WOW6 contestant)
*Eriata Oribhabor Spoken Call '15- BlueFlames Echebiri Gabriella
*Eriata Oribhabor Spoken Call '16- Paul Word
*Abuja Literary Slam 1st Quarter (2017) - Falade Kolawole (PariOlodo)
POETRY SLAM RUNNER-UPS FROM FOS ALUMNI*
*War of words 3(2014)
*1st Runner-Up – Aquila McRansom Kalagbor (Co-Founder, FOS)
*2nd Runner-Up – I Am Rage
*War of words 4 (2014)
1st Runner-Up - Olayinka Samson Aremu
2nd Runner-Up - Igbor Clemency Green (#WOW6 contestant)
*War Of Words 5 (2015)
1st Runner-Up - Adigun Olusola Clinton - (#WOW6 contestant)
2nd Runner-Up - Bankole Kolawole (#WOW6 contestant)
*Abuja Literary Slam (2015)
2nd Runner-Up - Olayinka Samson Aremu
*Abuja Literary Slam (2016)
1st Runner-Up - Olayinka Samson Aremu
*Abuja Literary Slam (2016) 3rd Quarter
2nd Runner-Up - Graciano Enwerem
*Abuja Literary Slam (2017) 1st Quarter
2nd Runner-Up - Gracely (Grace Abayo)
*Abuja Literary Slam (2017) 2nd Quarter
3rd Runner-Up - Celina Kile
*Be Blessed 10 (2015)
Be Blessed 13 (2016)
*1st Runner up - Njoku Henry Fr33zinPaul
2nd Runner-Up - Abiola Inioluwa Oluwaseun
*Eriata Oribhabor Spoken (Poetry) Call (2015)
1st Runner-Up - Prestige Ifeanyi Bernard
2nd Runner-Up - Njoku Henry Fr33zinPaul (#WOW6 contestant)
*Eriata Oribhabor Spoken (Poetry) Call (2016)
2nd Runner-Up – Oyeyiola-Ourias Oyinkansola Adesewa
*Onkowe TalkTheWord Poetry Slam 2015
1st Runner-Up - Adeola Adegoke (#WOW6 contestant)
All the above are currently members of FOS, most of whom have become key pillars, actively learning, teaching, mentoring and training one another, in this trending art of spoken word poetry recitation and performance. Hence, it would be totally unnecessary to argue with facts and figures. These words were not written to fan the ego centres of the founders of FOS or anything near, but to remind contestants of what the slam would likely be. Just like Basket-Mouth, one of Nigeria's foremost stand-up Comedian says, "there are only two things involved." So, the winner is either a Figure or a Figurehead.
Most times, the most poetic poets do not win, but the smartest ones having the calmest attention for details with the ability to follow rules and regulations guiding the slam.
So far, out of a total of 40 entrants for this year's War Of Words 6 Slam Poetry Competition, FOS has 16 out of which 10 are either multiple slam champions or runner-ups at major slams in Nigeria, sure to make the final cut of 15 for the grand finale. This can be gathered from critically examining the videos submitted so far, without any sentimental attachment.
So, if you're a contestant and do not belong to FOS, then there are two things involved: It's either you're entering "based on logistics" or you fell in love with Figures. I'm sure "the rest can rest in the skulls of 'bonafide' vagabonds" , in the words of Poet Ademuyiwa James.
Let me add that, seeing through these pompous facts and figures, you don't have to be a Figure to figure how things would turn out at the grand finale!
©BankHALL™ (May.10.2017)
Poet/Essayist, Spoken Word Artiste based in Lagos-Nigeria.
