Arts Lounge Literary Magazine wishes to formally announce to the general public the start of the Chukwuemeka Akachi Prize for Literature, in memory of Nigerian poet, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ugwuoke, popularly known as Chukwuemeka Akachi (1998-2019).

Chukwuemeka Akachi, a literary genius, died on the 13th of May, 2019, after a long time battle with a mental illness. Akachi had, before his death, made numerous, beautiful memories, and robbed off his alluring personality on everyone he came across. He was also the first contributor to Arts Lounge Literary Magazine, sending us his poem, Chat History to publish, as soon as our website was launched.

This literary prize will be awarded to an influential literary work, published by an African writer within the year, that raises awareness to mental health and at the same time demonstrates the transformative power of literature.

The prize will be awarded annually as a way of remembering Chukwuemeka Akachi. The debut prize of 100,000 naira will be awarded on the 13th of May, 2023. This will be part of our awareness campaign on mental health.