Interviews
This interview was conducted in June 2020 “I’m largely a nomad, more fluent in the arts than anything else.” Shittu Fowora Ayamba: Let’s get to know you. Shittu Fowora: I’ll say I’m largely a nomad, more fluent in the arts than anything else. I’m fascinated by nature and the interstice of language; by everyday interaction …
Nazir Mohammad Chobal in conversation with Shittu Fowora Read More »
The downside of the isolation is that there are more dark energies out there such that creatives are unconsciously documenting more fear, apprehension, anger, greed and lies. Rezthapoet Ayamba: Hello, Rez. Thank you for making time for this interview. RezthaPoet: Thanks for having me. Ayamba: These are strange times for everyone. What changes have you …
Ayamba: Hello, good morning. Thank you for agreeing to talk with us.Abubakar : It’s a pleasure.Ayamba: I understand that while most Nigerians were still coming to terms with the pandemic, you were already self-isolating, having only returned from a high-risk country. What were those few weeks like?Abubakar: I was in France when the whole thing …
Ayamba: How are you quarantining? In what ways has your daily routine changed?Saddiq Dzukogi: We have been at it for weeks now. I have exhausted a lot of the movies on Netflix. Now I am not only watching American movies and Nigerian movies, I am also watching films from Bahrain, Turkey. I am surprised at …
Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu in conversation with Kemi Falodun CONDUCTED IN MAY 2020 Ayamba: Thank you for agreeing to talk to me for this series. The COVID-19 situation and the consequent lockdown have thrown a lot of lives and routines into disarray. In what ways has your personal daily routine changed? What things could you do …
Who are the members of the international Poetry regulation board and what are they teaching us? Ayamba: First of all, what led you to poetry? Ajibola Tolase: Love. I was always searching for love and surprisingly, poetry is always calling for love. As easy as that, I was sold. Ayamba: In my experience, the thing …
… and it is scary because we bury ourselves in folds until we’re wrapped around layers that can’t be peeled or layers that make us bleed before we’re open. When you think of it, nonfiction is liberating, it’s kind of a reawakening, an inward search that leads us to truth, redemption and peace. Ayamba: First …
“Poetry acts as a mirror for me. I use it to think clearly.” Ayamba: When did you first realise that writing was the thing you really wanted to do? Daisy Odey: In 2015, I asked myself what I didn’t mind doing whether or not I got paid. I found it to be reading and writing. …
“The primary motive for curating the SELVES anthology is to improve the visibility of nonfiction in Africa.” Ayamba: When I think of you, Basit, the image that comes to my mind is that of a huge, huge library. Because you are one of the most widely read people I know. Can you talk to me …
“Fast forward to teenage hood, I loved poetry and began to scribble some words down and here I am.” Ayamba: Thanks for agreeing to speak to me. You are the creative director of ABUFEST, the only campus-based Arts festival in North of Nigeria. Can you talk to me about the day the idea for this …