Young Nigerian Poets should be focused and not afraid of telling the truth through their works – Yusuff Opeere

YOUNG NIGERIAN POETS SHOULD BE FOCUSED AND NOT AFRAID OF TELLING THE TRUTH THROUGH THEIR WORKS – YUSUFF OPEERE

 

Yusuff Opeere ( Adekunle Yusuff Adeyemi Opeere) is a poet and currently a student studying Statistics in Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation Ibadan. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, Yusuff Opeere who is also a member of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), shared with us his literary life and other facts surrounding his writing career.

SYNW: WHY ARE YOU A POET?

YO: I'll be jiggered! This is the first time I would came across this question. Why are you a poet? I won't speak with a forked tongue.  Yes. I'm a poet for reasons; one, I have a lot of messages to deliver to the people. Two, it is a simple way of expressing my feelings and thoughts. 

 SYNW: WHAT POETS DO YOU ADMIRE?

YO: Shams Al-Din Hafiz, Rudyard Kipling

SYNW: WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

YO:  If by Rudyard Kipling, and e-pals' poems

SYNW: TELL US ABOUT A NORMAL WORKING DAY…

YO: I'm a farmer, photographer, teacher (I teach during the weekend), but I write most of time when I have a period of inactivity because I'm still a student. 

SYNW: HOW DO YOU WRITE?

YO: I like staying in a place that is far from madding crowd during the day to write. And I always make my poems rhyme. It gives me more strength and love to write more when it's in that pattern.

SYNW: WHAT’S YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND A POEM?

YO: I will answer this question straight from the shoulder, my thought is to make people know that poetry is the simplest way to pass message to the world in a simple form. And I'm determined to shape it better than as it is today by organizing a competition among secondary school students in my community

SYNW: DESCRIBE YOUR ROUTE TO BEING PUBLISHED…

YO: I'm desperately struggling to get my works published but, you know, when Allah has not say YES, who can say that? I'm sure sooner than later my efforts will be crowned. And my works will have legs.

SYNW: WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO AN ASPIRING POET?

YO: To all aspiring poets, my advice for them is to be more focus, determined, lionized but do not heaping scorns on their elders and betters. They should not be afraid of telling the truth nor potty-mouthed.

SYNW: WHAT (IF ANY) SORTS OF EDITORIAL CHANGES DID THE MANUSCRIPT GO THROUGH? DID YOU WORK THROUGH THESE WITH YOUR AGENT AND/OR EDITORS WITHIN THE PUBLISHING HOUSE?

YO: There is a work I worked on- *Won't love again* - my editor is delaying it because it contains 20% error. It's been a year now I've sent it to him.

SYNW: FINAL QUESTION (PROMISE!): DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THE YET-TO-BE-PUBLISHED WRITERS READING THIS?

YO: Yes. As one of them because I've not published any work except on my facebook wall. My advice is to put more efforts and make sure they have mentor.

SYNW: TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR WRITING ROUTINE; WHAT’S A TYPICAL WRITING DAY FOR YOU?

YO: Before or at the crack of dawn -- 4:00am -- that is most silent time for me that inspiration will come. And in the dead of the night, starting from 11pm. I normally do research on what I want to write on before my pen will start answering the call of paper. So I won't make much mistakes and it will make it easier. 

SYNW: ON THIS TOPIC, WHAT ARE YOU DOING THE BUILD A PLATFORM AND GAIN READERSHIP?

YO: I don't have website but I am using facebook and WhatsApp as platform to gain readership

SYNW: WEBSITE(S)?

YO: No website. 

SYNW: FAVORITE MOVIE?

YO: I'm not a cinephile. So I don't have favourite movie.

SYNW: BEST PIECE(S) OF WRITING ADVICE WE HAVEN’T DISCUSSED?

YO: Er, if you're strictly struggling to be a published author but you always have distraction. My advice is to part company with such an emotionally disturbed thing and restart the trip again.  Because writing is a trip of no destination that has destination that we don't know how long it is until we reached a point. 

SYNW: SOMETHING PERSONAL ABOUT YOU PEOPLE MAY BE SURPRISED TO KNOW?

YO: I'm an irascible writer; reclusive poet. I wish to study law but I found myself studying Statistics

SYNW: WHAT’S NEXT?

YO: I'm desperately working to have two of my works published

 

 

I write when I have something to say - Balema Denja Abdulrazak

 

I WRITE WHEN I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY - BALEMA DENJA ABDULRAZAK

 

 Balema Denja Abdulrazak is a poet and an essayist currently the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Federal University, Lokoja Chapter). In this short interview with Wole Adedoyin, he speaks on his life and writing.

 SYNW: WHY DO YOU WRITE?

BDA: People write for a variety of reasons. For some, it is a career, for others, a hobby. Some write because it helps them to sort out their feelings. Some have a story to tell. And some write because nothing in the world makes them happier. 

For me, the question why do I write can be answered following the beginning of my existence? 

My deep passion for writing began at my early age when I was 10 to 12 years old. My dad worked at the library and also being the CEO of a printing press and graphics company where varieties of publications, books and letters were been printed and published in the late 90s. He often brought home various kinds of books and Newspapers for me and my siblings to read together. We developed the culture of reading at least four to five hours daily (Specifically every Sundays). 

I write when I have something to say. It is a must duty for me to share my thoughts, feelings, knowledge, and advice. I write because I look up to great writers, and I want to become one of them. The craft is sacred, but then, I want to honor it by also becoming a great writer. 

SYNW: WHICH WRITER DO YOU ADMIRE?

BDA: I really cannot say there is a particular Writer which I admire because it is never easy to be a writer. Therefore, every work been written is worth reading, appreciated and admired by me. But if I'm forced to mention writer who I currently admire his works, I think that should be  Late Chinua Achebe. I admire him as a writer and profound author of numerous books which has cut across the entire continent of Africa, and has also inspired generations of African writers and changed the landscape of Nigerian and African literature.

SYNW:  WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? ARE THERE ANY AUTHORS (LIVING OR DEAD) THAT YOU WOULD NAME AS INFLUENCE?

I'm presently reading a book titled "The Trouble with Nigeria" written by the Late Chinua Achebe.

SYNW:  WHAT WAS THE BOOK THAT MOST INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE — AND WHY?

Every book I read so far has influenced my life in one way or the other. But to list one amongst many is a book titled "The Fate of Africa" written by Martin Meredith. This book is all about the history of the fifty years of self-governing in Africa.

This book has influenced my life because the level of brutality and corruption is exposed and elucidated relentlessly. Crimes against humanity are so common that one wonders why the cycle is so self-perpetuating. This book have also made me know and understand little about Africa's history, whether before or after independence; now I have a better idea about the political events that followed the latter. 

To clarify up front the reason for why this book have influence me. This is because it is an essential work in understanding Africa today, and it flows in a highly readable format.

SYNW: WHAT ARE YOUR 10 FAVORITE BOOKS —AND WHY?

DBA: * There Was A Country

* The Fate of Africa

* Things Fall apart

* The Lion and the Jewel

* The Troubles with Nigeria

* The Concubine

* Leadership

* The God's Are Not To Be Blame

* Sweet Sixteen

* Gifted Hand

They are all inspiring books in relation to politics, good governance and most especially they are also fertile books comprising of historical facts about African history and cultures.

SYNW: FAVORITE FILMS?

DBA: For me, I'm not really a fan of movie neither do I spend time watching one. But the only film I could remember I loved so much back then and will perhaps remain my favorite movie would be "The God's Are Not To Be Blame", a play written by Ola Rotimi. I watched this movie far back about 10years ago in a weekly program called Super Story, showed on a popular African TV station. 

SYNW: FAVORITE MUSIC?

DBA: I don't really think I have any favorite music. I only listen to songs whenever I'm less busy and as such, I listen to all kinds of music.

SYNW:  IF YOU HAD A BOOK CLUB, WHAT WOULD IT BE READING — AND WHY?

DBA: If I had a book club, it would be reading hub for only creative works. This type of book club will be great for those who like to choose their own books and who like to share a good read with others. Members might just talk about one book that they loved and why, but depending on how many are in the group, could talk about two or three books or maybe a single author’s work. This is a great way to find out about new books and to amplify a book or author that you admire, too.

SYNW: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS TO GIVE — AND GET — AS GIFTS?

DBA: * Things Fall Apart

* Fate Of Africa

* The Lion and the Jewel

SYNW: GIVE US THREE "GOOD TO KNOW" FACTS ABOUT YOU. BE CREATIVE. TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WRITING.

DBA: My inspirations for writing can be explain in three forms

(i). I gets most of my ideas and things I write by noticing everyday happenings things and considering them in different ways.

(ii). I’ll have some idea or see something or an event will strike me in a certain way. I’ll string it along immediately and think of where it could lead and where it could go. I think of a story and write sometimes. 

(iii). Most often I write variety of articles base on my personal research been conducted to enable me have accurate and concrete information and idea of what I'm writing about.

SYNW: WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT YOUR READERS TO KNOW? CONSIDER HERE YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES, YOUR INTERESTS AND HOBBIES, YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO UNWIND — WHATEVER COMES TO MIND. 

DBA: What I'm interested in doing basically is writing. And also my hobbies include reading, writing and always conducting research. The best way to unwind whatever comes my mind is to get a book and start reading.