"And the winner is...Yellow Yellow', echoed Professor Ayo Banjo's voice minutes after reeling out the submission of the panel of judges, thus, generating mixed feelings, apathy, and anxiety in the air.

The announcement however, was greeted with prediction as well as disbelief as the expectant audience, which thronged the Muson Centre, venue of the 5th edition of the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Literature, which held last Saturday were held spell bound.

While the award night was gathering momentum, tensions was palpable as opinions were divided within the literary circle concerning who would emerge the winner of the coveted prize between the two vibrant short listed writers.

Already before the D-day, some section of the literary tribe have predicted the obvious, given the prize to Kiane Agary, following what they described as "privileged media support", while many others felt that Jude Dibia was a better contestant to clinch the prize.

But despite these divergent opinions, and in the spirit of promoting creativity in Nigeria, one thing that would not be taken away from this year's edition of the prize was the fact that it produced at last a younger writer as a winner, as against the previous editions where the older writers had hijacked the prize and turned it as their valued parting and retirement gift from the organizers.

For many watchers of the literary development in Nigeria, this year's prize was as symbolic as it was dramatic. Symbolic because it marked a turning point in the history of the 5-year old prize, and dramatic, because the two contestants, ironically paired themselves as they sat next to each other like lovers waiting to go nestling after the award night.

Indeed, the prize brought about a paradigm shift in the Nigerian literary terrain. Apart from being designed to be won this year by a new generation writer, it helped to re-emphasize the relevance and reckoning of the prize as one that actually celebrates excellence in Nigerian literature.

NLNG Managing Director, the sole sponsors of the prize, Mr. Chima Ibeneche in his welcome address, had reiterated the commitment of NLNG towards the sustenance of the yearly prize. In the cause of his address, he had challenged the publishing sector to ensure that they make the best of the prizes springing up here and there, by creating what he called, 'cultural season around books and literature."

According to him, creating cultural seasons of international dimension would serve as implicit vehicles for enhancing economic progress and national prestige, adding that, "if handled, this might bring about cultural image of Alfred Nobel, converting his hideous fortune to cultural capital."

Ibeneche, who was presiding over the prize for the first time as the Managing Director of the NLNG acknowledged the fact that, since instituting the prize five years ago, the literary terrain in Nigeria has been charged as it has not only helped to rekindle hope for science and literature in this country, but has equally given Nigeria a new lease of life as a nation of many talents.

"When we started these prizes, science and literature looked a bit hen-pecked and down. I think our prizes have cheered them up and made them more vibrant." He said.

Continuing he added that "Seeing the size of this gathering here this evening, the exciting programmes that have been lined up and the media attention these prizes are drawing, and seeing and feeling the drive, energy, and intellectual force flowing from this project, I believe the proof is undeniable. There is hope for science and literature in this country, and you are giving Nigeria a new lease on life."

However, announcing the winner of the prize amidst tension and anxiety, Professor Ayo Banjo, representing the panel of judges, after a brief assessment of the two entries; "Agary's Yellow Yellow, and Jude Dibia's Unbriddle" declared, Agary's Yellow Yellow as the winner.

He pointed out that the entry was picked for the prize not just because of the novelist's unpretentious narrative technique and unsentimental account of the unexplored aspect of the Niger Delta experience, but particularly because of her ability to explore two dominant themes that address contemporary issues in Nigeria.

According to him, a total of 149 entries were received for this year's awards, many of which recorded shortcomings in the areas of typographical and factual errors. Some of the criteria used in the final selection process, as he disclosed include national relevance, originality, style and creativity.

He said, as against the usual tradition where three entries are short-listed for the prize, the judges considered it not necessary this year, since according to him, "the choice of the two entries were clear cut and without prejudices."

Describing Agary's " Yellow Yellow as 'the true voice of the Niger Delta experience", Professor Banjo said the two themes that set Yellow Yellow apart from other entries include; addressing the tragic consequences of economic exploitation and exploration of the Niger Delta as well as the marginalization of women in society.

"Two themes that set Yellow Yellow apart from other entries is the tragic consequences of economic exploitation and exploration of the Niger Delta, and secondly, the marginalisation of women in society.'he stated.

Additionally he said, "although, they are the dominant themes of contemporary Nigerian discourse. Yellow Yellow is not just another Niger Delta narrative on these two themes. The narrative goes beyond the Niger Delta question to contemporary economic issues, and that is historical. The story is told with the admirable economy in succession of incidents and personal relation that advance the central character's involvement in consciousness of her condition."

"The author's fine performance is displayed in her unpretentious narrative technique, and in her unsentimental account of the unsung aspect of the Niger Delta experience.' he said.

At the glamorous award night which was graced by two former Head of State, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, and Chief Ernest Shonekan, Senate President, Mr. David Mark, and other eminent Nigerians, one witnessed the spirit of camaraderie that swept across the hall soon after the new Nigerian laureate emerged, as the two contestants embraced themselves to signal a new era for Nigerian literature.

Against observers' expression of reservations given the fact that with the unpredictable nature of the awards, which often times have attracted criticisms from the literary community that this year's contest was likely going to end paring the prize between the two promising writers was unfounded.

Indeed, by wining the prize, Agary has not only re-written the cause of history for her generation, but more importantly has placed herself as second single winner of the coveted prize after Professor Ahmed Yerima who won the same prize in 2006.

A masters degree holder in Public Administration, Agary who hails from Bayelsa State is also a human rights activist. She runs a non governmental organization in Lagos called DTalkshop, which is centred on educating people about their rights. She is also the Editor-In-Chief of Taikaii, the magazine that propagates the organisation's human rights ideas.

Agary's image as a writer has been growing with a phenomenal speed since she published her novel in 2006. A year after it was published, the novel won Victor Nwankwo's Book of the Year Award, ANA/Chevron Prize for Environmental Writing, and was also short listed for the ANA prize for Women Writings.

The novel chronicles the life of a young girl of Greek and Nigerian parentage, who struggles to find an identity for herself in Port Harcourt, while Jude Dibia's Unbridled focuses on a woman who is determined to be free from the men who have dominated her life.