My Essay tries to expose the evil perpetrated against the girl child in a typical African society - Charles Iornumbe

 

MY ESSAY TRIES TO EXPOSE THE EVIL PERPETRATED AGAINST THE GIRL CHILD IN A TYPICAL AFRICAN SOCIETY - CHARLES IORNUMBE

 

Charles Iornumbe is a broadcast journalist, researcher, creative writer, cultural enthusiast and academic. He has worked with Radio Benue Corporation, Makurdi for over a decade and risen through the ranks. He also had a stint with Radio Nigeria, Globe FM, Bauchi, Bauchi state. His essay “Teenage Sexual Molestation: Rethinking the Havoc on Girl Child” came second in the just concluded African Human Rights Essay Competition. African Human Rights Essay Competition is an initiative of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), USA aimed at promoting human rights values in Africa and to positively influence the betterment of the human rights situation in the continent. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he shares with him some facts surrounding his winning entry and writing career.

 

 

WA: WHAT HAS YOUR EARLY WRITING CAREER JOURNEY BEEN LIKE? 

 

CI: I had, right from my secondary school days, been a consistent reader of Literature books. The more I read, the more the desire in me to be a writer grew stronger. From reading, I began to develop vocabulary which I had compiled in a jotter. It’ll interest you to know that even at this stage; I still go through the jotter to peruse what I did at an elementary stage. I also developed skill for writing articles, short stories and poems most of which had been published in anthologies, journals and local tabloids.

I use this opportunity to give credit to some of my Literature Teachers: Madagu LC, Dennis Ernyi and Augustine Isho who at different times ignited the writing spirit in me.

 

WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY COMPETITION?

 

CI: As a current National Ex-Officio executive of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and immediate past Chairman of the Association in Benue State, I am privileged to belong to some of the Literary body's main social media platforms eg, WhatsApp, Facebook and Telegram where most of IHRAF's activities are publicised. So, to answer your question directly, I saw a publication about three months ago calling for entries which I entered and by God's grace, today, I've been adjudged to be one of the winners of the International Human Rights Essay Competition for which, I remain eternally grateful.

 

WA: WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO TAKE PART IN THE CONTEST?

 

CI: The coinage of the topic and my personal interest in issues of human rights especially as they relate to Girl Child molestation and abuse motivated me to take part in the competition. Ultimately, I had a ready script which I wrote to commemorate the 2019 International Day For The Girl Child entitled: Teenage Sexual Molestation: Rethinking the Havoc on The Girl Child.

There is also a short story crafted with scenes, characters and roles assigned to them.

 

WA: CAN YOU PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOUR WINNING ESSAY?

 

CI: The essay 'Teenage Sexual Molestation: Rethinking the Havoc on the Girl Child' tries to expose the evil perpetrated against the girl child in a typical African Society. In this clime, teenage rape and molestation are on the high scale because, they’re a daily occurrence. The people who rape teenage girls live in our midst; some are our friends, colleagues and acquaintances who, for various reasons, commit the crime with impunity.

It's sad because they commit these atrocities without them being arrested. It's funny but painful in the sense that, that little girl who is raped and deflowered carries a social stigma on her name and reputation so long as she lives. The family of the rape survivor is first and foremost not ready to make a case with the rapist for fear of the unknown. The police man would like you who had rushed to their station to report a rape case to prove whether or not, the family of the rape survivor is willing to go to court. The NAPTI official would knock you out for bringing the rape survivor late to their office for examination. The journalists are helpless to conclude their investigations on a rape case because all the aforementioned parties have made the situation cumbersome. In the end, the matter lies low and dies a natural death.

So, my essay ex-rays this scenario and plays up the challenge one encounters in trying to expose the criminality.

 

WA: WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THE SUBMISSION PROCESS FOR THE COMPETITION THAT MIGHT HELP OTHERS TO SUBMIT?

 

CI: The process was smooth. It took time to mature. I believe it was also transparent. I first received a mail acknowledging receipt of my entry and that was followed shortly by a certificate of participation. Few weeks after, twenty names were shortlisted followed by thirteen names and eventual release of winners of the competition. Initially, I was wondering how and why I didn't emerge overall winner but got convinced after viewing the profile of Master Anadi who came first. Master Anadi had sent me a friend request on Facebook. I viewed his profile to be sure before confirming. I noticed he is an extremely good writer who has a long way to go if he keeps writing. Honestly, I was impressed after reading him. I would like to meet him some day. I wish to submit that one's age and status do not have a special place in writing. Though, Anadi a younger person than me floored me in the Essay competition, I am still proud to hold onto my position as second winner. After all, this is my first attempt at literary competition in my life.

 

WA: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE THE SECOND-PRIZE WINNER?

 

CI: I feel extremely happy about the outcome of the competition.

 

WA: HOW DID WRITING THE WINNING PIECE GO?

 

CI: I wrote the essay two years before the competition. It's a coincidence that the topic became relevant in an International competition of this magnitude. While writing, I established myself in the situation; that as a father of two daughters, God forbid though, how would it feel to hear that someone rapes either of them? The essay tells my personal experience as a Journalist who got entangled carrying out an investigation of an alleged rape case in my community. I felt passionate about the ugly trend believing that someday, Africa would overcome it.

 

WA: TO WIN AN ESSAY CONTEST, WHAT DO YOU THINK WRITERS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO?

 

CI: One should pay attention to developing one's subject matter in the manner it's understood by the reader. There should be unity of thought, clarity and coherence of ideas. The script should demonstrate mastery of the issue/issues being projected by the writer.

 

WA: APART FROM ESSAY WRITING, WHAT OTHER THINGS DO YOU WRITE? 

 

CI: I write poetry, radio commentaries, short stories, reviews and biographies.

 

WA: WHAT, FOR YOU, MAKES AN ESSAY CONTEST ENTRY OR SUBMISSION STAND OUT?

 

CI: Honestly, this is my first time of participating in a literary competition so I might not give you exactly what you’re asking of me. I can only deduce that what is looked out for, in an essay competition, might not be far from the opinion expressed in your question 8 above. 

 

WA: HOW MANY UNPUBLISHED AND HALF-FINISHED BOOKS DO YOU HAVE?

 

CI: I have about 8 unpublished works which I usually don't like disclosing because they are in the hands of the Editors undergoing editorial work. But to satisfy your curiosity, I’ll mention just three: 'The Power of Reporting and Disaster Management', 'Of Grace and Fortune' and a poetry collection ' Grim Reaper and Other Poems'.

 

WA: WHAT DOES LITERARY SUCCESS LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

 

CI: It's fulfilling my brother. It makes one feel on top of one's World. That's exactly how I am feeling now after being listed second winner of IHRAF International Essay Competition.

 

WA: DO YOU GOOGLE YOURSELF?

 

CI: Yes, I do. You can't be a good writer without knowing how to Google.

 

WA: WHAT ONE THING WOULD YOU GIVE UP TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER?

 

CI: I would like to sacrifice my comfort. This comfort means the outings, the sleeping and any other thing that could discourage a writing enterprise.

 

WA: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE LITERARY JOURNALS?

 

CI: Yeah, the ones that readily come to mind are: Auroras & Blossoms Poetry Journal, The Alaska Quarterly review, The Antioch review and of course, our revered ANA review.

 

WA: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD BOOK?

 

CI: It was Charles Dicken's 'Oliver Twist' 

 

WA: WHAT AUTHORS DID YOU DISLIKE AT FIRST BUT GREW INTO?

 

CI: I don't want to use the word 'dislike' as you put it. I rather prefer to say I was not interested in someone like reading Ngugi 'thiongo a Kenyan writer and Thomas Hardy in England. 

 

WA: WHAT OTHER AUTHORS ARE YOU FRIENDS WITH, AND HOW DO THEY HELP YOU BECOME A BETTER WRITER?

CI: I can't call someone like the Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka as a friend. He is a father, mentor and a teacher. Prof Soyinka is the man who has influenced and inspired my life in many ways. We are lucky to have him living and kicking on with life. I pray God to grant him long life and continually keep him safe. I also see Ayikwei Amah from Ghana as another writer that has given me a direction in life. Lastly Professor Chinua Achebe is one Nigerian I would have loved to meet if he were alive. Of the three, The Nobel Laureate's use of language is unique.

 

 

 

Ibadan Book Club pays Courtesy Visit to Oyo State Library Board, Discusses ways to move reading culture forward in Oyo State

 

IBADAN BOOK CLUB PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO OYO STATE LIBRARY BOARD, DISCUSSES WAYS TO MOVE READING CULTURE FORWARD IN OYO STATE.

 

As part of its strategies in reviving and promoting reading culture in Oyo State, the Executive members of Ibadan Book Club paid a courtesy visit to the Management of the Oyo State Library Board on the 30^th of April, 2021.

Led by Ibadan Book Club Coordinator, Mrs. Ayobami Odunyemi, the visit was part of the Club’s outreach efforts aimed at boosting its relationship with the State Library Board.

Other members of Ibadan Book Club team that made the Visit to the Oyo State Library Board were: Jude Asogwa - Assistant Coordinator, Ndukwo Mary – Secretary, Emeka Emmanuel - Information Secretary, Oyewole Oyebode Daniel - Social/Welfare Secretary and Akinyemi Jelili - Financial Secretary.

 

Mrs. Ayobami Odunyemi disclosed that the visit had opened up a new episode in the relationship between Ibadan Book Club and the Oyo State Library Board, who should leverage on each other’s strengths to deliver better in the area of enhancing the reading culture of the state.

 

In the course of the visit, discussion was held on areas of assistance by the Oyo State Library Board.

 

In her remarks, the State Librarian Mrs. A.I Akinlolu commended Ibadan Book Club for her efforts in promoting reading culture in Oyo State. She also highlighted the contributions and efforts of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State in transforming Oyo State Library Board to an enviable position. According to the State Librarian, the proposed synergy would also go a long way in realizing one of Engr. Seyi Makinde’s key concerns, which is to improve the teaching and learning environment with the provision of quality and quantity of infrastructure and to ensure that students adequately fit into the mainstream of the dynamic global system.

Also at the meeting were Pastor Akintunde, Director, [Public Library Service] and Mrs. Sekinat Akanbi, Director, [School Library Services] who corroborated the remarks of the State Librarian.

The Oyo State Library Board under the current headship of Mrs. A.I Akinlolu (State Librarian) came into existence historically in 1955, to support the free primary education of Western State Government led by Late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. It was then known as Western Regional Library, was established by the Western State Government to:(i) compliment the efforts of government toward improving the educational standard (ii) provide qualitative library services to the people of the region and to the school environment (iii) to encourage reading culture among the school children.

 

In 1976, when Oyo State was carved out of the Western state, the library nomenclature changed to Oyo State Library under the Ministry of Education while the Head of Library was renamed the Chief Librarian.

 

The development of Library services actually took place in 1988 when the Military Administration of Col. Sasaenia Oresanya decided to enact a law for the establishment of Oyo State Library Board which is regarded as an autonomous government parastatal with the enactment of Edict No 18 of August 1988. This development thereby gave way for the

composition of Board led by Prof. Adebimpe Aboyade and supported by four (4) other professional librarians including Prof. D.F. Elaturoti (then Dr. Elaturoti) and Mrs. Oderinde (then of Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan). The composition of the Board brought the

introduction of active library services in the state while the mandate given to the Board became more pronounced and includes provision of qualitative and quantitative library services throughout the state. These includes: (a) library services to the rural populace, (b) services to school libraries,(c) training of library personnel working in schools, local governments, ministries and other government parastatals (d) to serve as legal depository of all works published in the state.

 

In 1999, the State government approved the nomenclature of the Head of Library to change from the Director to the State Librarian; and now has 4 directorates namely (a) Public Library Services Department (b) Schools Library Services Department and (c) Administration and

Supply (d) Finance and Accounts. The Board has two (2) functional Branch Libraries in Ibadan at Elekuro and Bodija. Three Zonal Libraries were built outside the State capital at Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Saki respectively. The first two Zonal libraries are functional, while the other

one is almost complete.

 

Presently, the Headquarters’ complex comprises of about 8 sections including an ICT unit which provides Information Technology services free of charge to the registered library users.

 

 

I see my literary pieces as an opportunity to express myself on different social issues - Nwokeabia, Ifeanyi John

 

I SEE MY LITERARY PIECES AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MYSELF ON DIFFERENT SOCIAL ISSUES - NWOKEABIA, IFEANYI JOHN

 

Nwokeabia, Ifeanyi John is an alumnus of Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. He has authored a collection of poems  titled “Immortal Words” (2021). He was shortlisted for the ENDSARS poetry competition organised by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers in collaboration with International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) USA, 2020. His poem also appeared in the anthology 'The Best of 2020 Poet of the World', a publication by Inner Child Press, USA.  His other works are published in different online platforms like Poemhunter , voicesnet , The Shadow Tales Review , AceWorld , calseriesblog , qwenu , opinion Nigeria, SYNW Blog etc. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he talks about his writing career.

 

WA: TELL US ALL ABOUT YOUR WRITING BACKGROUND- WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN, WHAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY WRITING

NIJ: I have written poems published in different online and offline magazines. I had written opinions on education published on Opinion Nigeria. I write reviews too, for published books. And currently, I have different unfinished works; short stories and poems etc. that I'm trying to complete in time not far.

 

WA: WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT A PIECE OF WRITING-

NIJ: The message, with its accompanying style, interests me in a piece of writing.

 

WA: WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS AND WHY? 

NIJ: It's always hard to pick a favourite writer because every writer writes with his/her uniqueness. And the uniqueness of a writer makes a writer special in their respective literary works. But I will love to appreciate two writers among others; Chinua Achebe and Isidore Okpewho on the role they played in exposing me to rich African literature. The simplicity of their styles served me best in my early days in the literary field.

 

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW WRITER STARTING OUT?

NIJ: well, we are all writers starting out, so I will advise us to keep our head straight, and discover our God given ingenuity. There's not entirely a new story, rather style has ways of recreating originality. Discover a style that will stand unique, and you will watch yourself excelling. In other words, carve a niche for yourself.

 

WA: WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?

NIJ: I really do not have a special inspiration whenever I set out to write. Every mood, every environment, my life experience etc. are much inspiration to me. But one thing stands out as an inspiration, which is my inability to engage in verbal argument, so I see my literary pieces as an opportunity to express myself on different social issues.

 

WA: DO YOU HAVE A WRITING ROUTINE? A PLACE THAT’S SPECIAL? 

NIJ: No, I don't have a writing routine. I write at will. No time, no day, no particular place. Whenever I receive the message, I open my notepad, and write.

 

WA: HOW, WHEN AND WHY DID YOU FIRST START WRITING? 

NIJ: It's in 2011 when l was a student of Federal College of Education. As a student of English Language, we wrote intermittently on Students' Days to perform it for fun. But in the year 2014, I became more serious with writing. This change was caused by the attack of a suicide bomber to our school, which took a life away. My eyes were opened to see that a writer is a social crusader. So, I began to write more often.

 

WA: WHAT WAS THE FIRST PIECE YOU EVER HAD PUBLISHED?

NIJ: Immortal Words (A Collection of Poems) was the first published by me. Although before its publication, I have had other online publications in different magazines. 

 

WA: DO YOU ADDRESS PARTICULAR THEMES OR ISSUES IN YOUR WRITING?

NIJ: Being a product of the society, I write on different societal issues. I write on politics, morality, love, peace and other issues that our society is in search of.

 

WA: HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED SENDING YOUR WRITING OUT INTO THE WORLD?

NIJ: It's not easy. I had been my worst critic. I will always tell myself that my work is not good enough. So, each time I planned to send a work out, I will feel so uncomfortable. Sometimes, I do paint a mental picture of where people finished reading my work, and started making mockery of me and my piece. 

 

WA:  WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FROM? 

NIJ: Classroom. As a teacher, whenever I'm in class teaching, I see myself through my students as a child growing up in the village. So, through that, I get striking topics I could research on, and equally come up with best words to give them life. That's why I always tell people that I'm a writer who navigates the world while in the classroom.

 

WA:  HOW DID YOU GET YOUR PUBLISHER?

NIJ: Social media have been a veritable tool. My Publisher has been a facebook friend. So, I had always seen his advertisements from time to time. When I prepared my manuscript for publication, I sent it to him, after due consideration, he notified me of his company's acceptance of the work for publication.

 

WA: TELL US WHAT KIND OF RESPONSES YOU GET FROM AUDIENCES\ READERS.

NIJ: So far, it's been  beautiful responses. 

 

WA:  HOW CAN PEOPLE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU?

NIJ: I'm on facebook@Nwokeabia Ifeanyi John, twitter@Nwokeabia_John, and WhatsApp. Further information on me can be seen through google too. 

 

WA:  TIPS, TRICKS, THINGS TO PASS ON TO DEDICATED WRITERS?

NIJ: Every dedicated worker must receive a wage. It may not flow in easily, but once heads are bent, and candles are continuously burnt, one day, reward must follow suit. Don't compare your success to another; it may lead you to depression. Just keep doing your work happily, and believing in yourself. Never lose hope!

 

WA: ANY TYPICAL/COMMON MISTAKES THAT NEW WRITERS TEND TO MAKE?

NIJ: Some of us want quick success in our writing career. If you are in this group of over desperate writers, please stop being too hard on yourself. Writing alone is energy sapping, then imagine when you add over thinking to it. Not every writer will win an award in his/her under twenty or twenties. Success is success no matter when it comes.

 

WA:  WHICH OF YOUR BOOKS WERE THE MOST ENJOYABLE TO WRITE?

NIJ: Immortal Words has been the only published one, so, it's still the most enjoyable.

 

WA:  TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK? WHAT WAS THE JOURNEY LIKE?

NIJ: Immortal Words is my first published book. It was published by Poemify Publishers, Aba. The journey was not easy. Its energy sapping because sometimes you will wake up to a message demanding your immediate attention, some corrections made or about to be made on your work. But the joy of getting your work out there for the wider audience surpasses every stress.

 

WA:  On your latest Book titled “Immortal Words” Can you share with us something about the book

NIJ: Life loses its immortality once breath is cut off and buried or cremated. Before conception, a foetus sign bilateral agreement with death - to live & die once. But  Immortal Words is a gentle reminder to humans that the power of words can always dare and defeat the power of death by sitting comfortably on the pages of a book.

The collection goes on to ramble through the labyrinth of life, throwing up love, happiness and morals for eyes to eat and transport genuine change to the hearts of humans. It serves as a catalyst to reawaken humans' spirit towards seeing possibility for positive change in society.

Immortal Words reaffirms that life does not end in death, rather it's a beginning to immortality.

 

 

WA:  WHAT IS THE KEY THEME AND/OR MESSAGE IN THE BOOK?

NIJ: The key theme is immortality. This immortality depends largely on humans given words life that can outlive them just as we are still reading the words of great poets like Christopher Okigbo, Ikeogu Oke etc and novelists like Chinua Achebe, Chukwuemeka Ike, Cyprain Ekwensi and others.