UNIBEN student wins N100,000 in spoken word contest

A newly admitted student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Joshua Paul Uma, has beaten 20 other poets to win War Of Words 4.

Paul, the first in a family of five children is now the reigning Slam Champion with N100,000 in the kitty.

Organized by i2X Media Company Limited, War Of Words is one of Nigeria's most prestigious spoken word events.

Held at TerraKulture Victoria Island, Lagos, the Season 4 was dubbed the “Final Showdown” and it was indeed a showdown of words with poets from all over the country.

It was indeed a thrilling and gruelling three round feat of words as the poetic gladiators slugged it out.

But Uma, known by his moniker 'Paul Word', won all three rounds to clinch the top spot and win the Slam Champion title.

Interestingly, the new slam champion only first attempted the Spoken Word performances in September, announcing himself at the Eko Poetry Slam held mid-November.

"I started poem writing in 2012 after i left secondary school but started Spoken Word on september 14 2014," he told Student Pulse.

"I just gained  admission into University Of  Benin to study history."

Ibadan based poet, Olayinka Samson Aremu, aka Samurai came second while Igbor Clemency Green, from Lagos, was the second runner up.

Paul Word broke down with tears of joy after i2x CEO and convener of the event, Olumide Holloway, presented him with his N100,000 check.

First and second runners-up, Aremu and Green, were awarded N20,000.00 and N10,000.00 respectively.

On the judges' bench were respected spoken word champions; Torpedo Mascaw, Soonest Nathaniel Scholes, and Bob Ekat while Mrs Ayodele Jaiyesimi, First Bank's Head, Human Capital Management and Development, served as guest judge.

War of Words 3 was won by , anImo State University (IMSU) Owerri graduate and radio presenter.

You can see more exciting pictures on the .