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<blockquote>Theme:Speak Life Into This Year</blockquote>The year 2026 began on a hopeful and affirming note as Yemipoet &nbsp;launched its January monthly contest themed “Speak Life Into This Year.” The contest encouraged participants to use words as seed speaking hope, purpose, resilience, and intention into the new year.The theme resonated widely, drawing voices from different backgrounds who shared powerful reflections, affirmations, and personal declarations for the year ahead.The contest was officially announced on January 1st, 2026, and submissions closed on January 9th, 2026. By the close of the submission period, a total of 746 entries were received, making it one of the most engaging monthly contests so far.<figure id="figure-ay0twndmydmm6vqgat"><img id="ay0twndmydmm6vqgat" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bCbkZZafQ00iDKq7GRIVdy6bkrKwFOeNtC6Tplrxfx78Pjf1PtfXY758Kl4DqSQ.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bCbkZZafQ00iDKq7GRIVdy6bkrKwFOeNtC6Tplrxfx78Pjf1PtfXY758Kl4DqSQ.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Submission Process</h3>All entries were submitted through the official website, www.yemipoetproduction.com.Evaluation and Winners Selection&nbsp; Entries were carefully reviewed based on originality, creativity, and emotional depth.&nbsp;<blockquote>Highlights</blockquote>50 outstanding entries were specially highlighted for their depth, originality, and uplifting messages, celebrating the collective strength of voices within the community.Top 3 Winners Spotlight The Top 3 winners were selected from the Top 50 list.<figure id="figure-z3k1x8j88cmm6vsdpy"><img id="z3k1x8j88cmm6vsdpy" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15F7QdzDHrcvlw8hCxRoim44464bUhTNFhp5SW7OLOUlV79Tc4RLfeFJiLzpRqHh.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15F7QdzDHrcvlw8hCxRoim44464bUhTNFhp5SW7OLOUlV79Tc4RLfeFJiLzpRqHh.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>FIRST PLACEIKECHUKWU FAVOURYear of the Open MouthClick here to watch the spoken word presentation of our winner's poem by Opeyemi Enitan Moses.<figure id="figure-0mlpsp9cbmm6vuqa4"><iframe id="0mlpsp9cbmm6vuqa4" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RxugWEDdwZ8" class="w-full bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtube.com/shorts/RxugWEDdwZ8?si=L4DOGO5FuJWQmaJd" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RxugWEDdwZ8" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>SECOND PLACESALEEMA A ZAMSARFNo More Leaving it to Luck THIRD PLACEFAVOUR DANIELLuminous EchoesWinners Award &nbsp;A total cash prize of ₦85,000 was shared among the winners.Appreciation We sincerely appreciate every participant who took part in the January contest. Your words set the tone for the year and reminded us of the power of speaking life first to ourselves, and then to the world.<blockquote><h3>Thank you for starting 2026 with purpose. We look forward to more impactful moments in the months ahead.</h3></blockquote>See you in February!Summary Blog Written By: Kolajo Zainab&nbsp;Edited by: Adetutu Oluwapelumi-Deuel<figure id="figure-zl44kewhsmm6vyorp"><iframe id="zl44kewhsmm6vyorp" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iNqwuK6tst0" class="w-full bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtube.com/shorts/iNqwuK6tst0?si=56RDWnv-vALevWRj" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iNqwuK6tst0" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>

Yemipoet January Poetry Contest’26

<blockquote><h3>Bayo had always chased luck, counting on numbers to make him rich. Little did he know, today fortune would come with sticky fingers and unexpected chaos</h3></blockquote>Bayo, for as long as he remembered,Has frolicked with numbers,Hoping for that one day,When he would hit it big! Then came a day,From slumber he rose,Feeling lucky,Because he dreamed some figures! Straight to his wallet he went,Ransacking every drawer for a coinWith which to play his luck,For he knew, his time was nigh! But he had neither a coin nor a note,Then headed he to his wife's purseto lend a note,The thief!<figure id="figure-pkpcfi3r0omk5y3v6j"><img id="pkpcfi3r0omk5y3v6j" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/4sGQgtfxMrysl0Uoa7z2vcRnytOne8ta5GmNixxkrTbyLhtAh9825PVuJwr3ZyRe.jpg" alt="Published by yemipoet " title="Published by yemipoet " class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Bayo dreamed of fortune, Sola dreamed of survival… and neither knew whose day would go wrong first." data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Bayo dreamed of fortune, Sola dreamed of survival… and neither knew whose day would go wrong first.</figcaption></figure>Sola, for as long as he had remembered,Has been a tenant to the street,Rain and sunshine,Night and day! Usually he had all needed,To end the day,For he always believed,The next day would care for itself! But today, he had nothing,And seeing a phone hanging loosely,Decided to take it...The robber! Thief! Thief! Bayo heard from a distance,And seeing a man run towards him,Reached for a stick,And stuck, Sola hard!“Bloody thief” Bayo mumbled,pinning Sola down,Till the crowd caught up with them,And happily, he went his wayWith his stolen money carefully tucked away!Abidemi Uberu

Bayo dreamed of fortune, Sola dreamed of survival… and neither knew whose day would go wrong first.

<blockquote>If this isn’t love, then why do we hurt each other and care so deeply at the same time? Why does our closeness feel dangerous, and our distance unbearable?</blockquote>‎If this isn’t love, ‎why do my eyes burn when he’s hurting, ‎as if his pain found a home inside me? ‎ ‎Why do I miss him loudly ‎on the days he is far away ‎yet the moment we are close, ‎we argue like two people ‎who care too much ‎and don’t know where to put it? ‎ ‎If this isn’t love, ‎why does he check on me in quiet ways, ‎doing things that cost him comfort, ‎time, even money, ‎then shrug it off and say, ‎“I’m just being nice.” ‎ ‎Why does he distance himself ‎the moment my heart leans toward him, ‎as if kindness is allowed, ‎but feeling is too dangerous?<figure id="figure-ghx1j64ifkmk5xm5gw"><img id="ghx1j64ifkmk5xm5gw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/26esmfgb9DPhTGeP05gnHe4NMq6DtnK83yS6ippNjEEQxbZlUyLZbfrrKPia0fYn.jpg" alt="Two hearts. One fear. Is this love? @yemipoet" title="Two hearts. One fear. Is this love? @yemipoet" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Love " data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/26esmfgb9DPhTGeP05gnHe4NMq6DtnK83yS6ippNjEEQxbZlUyLZbfrrKPia0fYn.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Love</figcaption></figure> ‎And why do I pretend not to see ‎the softness in his eyes, ‎because admitting it ‎might break the little friendship ‎we are both terrified to lose? ‎ ‎If this isn’t love, ‎then what do you call two people ‎who care in secret, ‎hurt in silence, ‎and pull back just when everything ‎almost becomes real? ‎ ‎What do you call two hearts ‎that move around each other ‎like eclipses ‎close enough to turn the world dark, ‎yet never brave enough to touch? ‎ ‎What do you call two hearts ‎that beat toward each other ‎but step away at the same time, ‎because the truth might cost ‎the one thing holding them together? ‎ ‎If this isn’t love, ‎then why does it feel ‎like we are always one breath away ‎from saying everything ‎and one fear away ‎from saying nothing at all? ‎ ‎_Halima Abu &nbsp; &nbsp;

If This Isn’t Love‎

<blockquote>Theme: Poetic Letter to Self – My Creative Journey of 2025</blockquote>The Yemipoet December Poetry Contest closed the year on a reflective note, inviting poets to look inward and write honest poetic letters to themselves. Through this theme, poets reflected on their creative journeys in 2025, highlighting their growth, struggles, wins, losses, gratitude, and hopes for the future.The theme, Poetic Letter to Self: My Creative Journey of 2025, encouraged sincerity, vulnerability, self-awareness, and emotional depth. Participants were required to express their stories within a 120 to 150-word limit.The contest was officially announced on December 1st, 2025, and submissions closed on December 10th, 2025. By the end of the submission period, a total of 299 entries were received from poets across different backgrounds, making it one of the most participated in contests of the year.<h3>Submission Process </h3>All entries were submitted through the official website, www.yemipoetproduction.comAn optional submission requirement allowed poets to convert their entries into carousel posts, share them on Instagram, and collaborate with @yacsofoundation after completing their initial submission through the website.Evaluation and Winners Selection&nbsp; Entries were carefully reviewed based on authenticity and emotional depth. Thirty outstanding entries were shortlisted as the Top 30 winners. From these, five poets emerged as the Top 5 winners. <blockquote>Top 5 Winners Spotlight</blockquote>Faith OkaforIkechukwu SelinaHoosen ChristianahKolajo ZainabAlimat Abu<figure id="figure-j55r4ktjbnmk5wzov9"><img id="j55r4ktjbnmk5wzov9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36jy99URNWBXkMhqjgHCSHm85Be001t3POOQgigCqHcTdEmRbrtoIgsd4zh2TlOA.jpg" alt="We present our winners" title="We present our winners" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="December Contest Winners" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36jy99URNWBXkMhqjgHCSHm85Be001t3POOQgigCqHcTdEmRbrtoIgsd4zh2TlOA.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">December Contest Winners</figcaption></figure><blockquote><h3>What was originally planned as a Top 4 expanded to a Top 5, following the generous support of an anonymous donor who added an extra ₦25,000 to the initial award announced.&nbsp;</h3></blockquote>Winners AwardA total cash prize of ₦125,000 was shared equally among the Top 5 winners.AppreciationWe sincerely appreciate every poet who participated, every reader who engaged, every volunteer and judge who evaluated the entries, and every supporter who made the Yemipoet December Poetry Contest a success. Your words mattered.&nbsp;Special thanks to the YACSO Foundation for the continued support and partnership.<blockquote>See you in the next edition</blockquote>..............Compiled by&nbsp; Adetule O. Adetutu&nbsp;

Yemipoet December Poetry Contest’25

<blockquote>Even in fragments, you are enough</blockquote>Broken crayons still color Cracked wings still learn to fly. Torn pages still tell stories. Bent petals still bloom. Wounded hearts still beat Shattered glass still shines in light.<figure id="figure-fz1w0yz08smmk5wf8k5"><img id="fz1w0yz08smmk5wf8k5" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/336blqk87pWlKgxjJhuqMHi5vHXTCTIMkU9iVrc83ZOYEvkAna4tToCgIysSG9AF.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure> Bruised skies still give birth to stars. Silence still carries songs. Scars are proof of survival You don't have to be whole to be powerful Even in pieces, you're still enoughEnitan Eleto

Broken crayons still color

<blockquote>This is what becoming looks like when no one is watching</blockquote> I’m still learning.Still trying.Still showing upeven when I don’t feel ready. I put myself out there...posting, applying,refreshing my inbox,hoping today is different. Not because I’m confident every day,but because I don’t want to disappearwhile I’m becoming. Remote work has tested me.The waiting after I click “submit”and tell myself not to hope too much.The silence that follows.The moments I reread my work,wondering if I missed something.<figure id="figure-3tx5wrgn7vmk5w0yec"><img id="3tx5wrgn7vmk5w0yec" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/30Lmb378E8ofvochhWdpde9F67FrsLqJUJUxD0qaJ6OsqwGo0cBIsnUwfwufrfOP.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>Every frustration pushed meto rewrite my CV.Every delay sent me backto learn one more skill.Every quiet seasonmade me more consistent,not louder. I’m not where I want to be yet.But I’m not standing still. I keep learning.I keep applying.I keep believing. And I know this...if I can keep going like this,I will win.Stephanie Okafor.

Learning Out Loud

Yemipoet Creation

Yemipoet is an Instagram  page that organizes monthly and random poetry contest. Top 3 winner gets a cash prize. Yemipoet is registered  as Yemipoet Creation Company in Nigeria