The Witsprouts Project, a cultural organisation dedicated to reviving and celebrating African performance arts, has announced Rachael Ajisafe as the winner of the inaugural Witsprouts Storytelling Prize. Ajisafe won the top award and a cash prize of ₦500,000 for her compelling oral performance.
The prize, themed “Rebooting Legends and Memories,” was launched to identify and celebrate exceptional Nigerian storytellers capable of bringing the ancient oral tradition to modern digital platforms.
The competition involved a rigorous two-stage process. After an initial public call for video submissions, three exceptional storytellers were shortlisted: Debbie Ajom, Keesh Rowland, and the eventual winner, Rachael Ajisafe. These finalists were then invited to submit a second story privately for the final judging round.
Ajisafe’s winning entry, a powerful and emotive narrative, was lauded by the esteemed judging panel, which included writer/filmmaker Jude Idada and playwright Akanbi Taofeek.
The judges praised Ajisafe’s exceptional talent, noting she is “a natural storyteller with a poetic flair” who uses her words to create stunning visual imagery. They commended her for moving beyond mere recitation, observing that her energetic delivery and passion for the subject matter, particularly her focus on the cultural heritage of Sango, brought a captivating vitality to the performance.
Tope Akintayo, Director of The Witsprouts Project, emphasised the significance of Ajisafe’s win:
“Rachel Ajisafe’s victory is a testament to the enduring power and relevance of African oral storytelling in the modern age. She embodies our mission to connect the wisdom of our ancestors with the creativity of the next generation. We are incredibly proud to celebrate her truly exceptional talent.”
Congratulations, Rachael Ajisafe!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
