INTERVIEW WITH TOHEEB DELE-BALOGUN; A CREATIVE ADVERTISING EXPERT AS HE TELLS HIS STORY ABOUT HIS RECENT BOOK PROJECT
~BY CHINEDU NSOFOR

Please can you start by sharing a bit about yourself and your background? What led you to pursue your current field?*

My name is Toheeb Dele-Balogun, and I’m a Nigerian based in Lagos and in the UK. I work in the creative side of advertising, where I tell stories for brands. Currently, I am Partner at The hook Creative Agency. My role involves creating impactful brand ideas and communication strategies for private and public institutions. I have always believed in the power of storytelling to shape individuals and society at large.

So how have you been telling these stories over the years?*

I was copywriter for along time. I did campaigns for most of the top brands in Nigeria and won lots of industry awards. I still tell brand stories now but my role has evolved. I consult for brands as a Partner at The hook. And I am currently exploring other forms of storytelling, particularly, fiction. I have a book coming out later in October 2024. It’s called Don’t Tell these stories. In fact we just did a pre-launch show at Creative Bloc Carnival.Interesting. What were the highlights at the Pre-launch show?*

Creative Bloc Carnival is an annual event. I used the carnival to preview my book. The reaction to the book project was massive. “Don’t Tell These Stories” is a thought-provoking collection featuring about 70 short stories. These include stories on child marriage, moral decline, patriotism, politics among others. Each story addresses a different human issue, and the book is an artwork in its execution. It is unique and rare in its format.

See, I wanted to rekindle the passion for reading by presenting the book in ways that attract the modern reader. You will pick it up if you see it, it’s irresistible. The cover will immediately attract you. Once you start a story, you will finish it because it’s short. We’ll produce copies in different forms; for instance, one version will be entirely black with white text, limited to only 10 copies. Then, there will be burnt copy. These ones will have visible burnt scars on them and impactful visuals inside, it will be available at the exhibition later this month and will be sold in Art galleries across country. Lastly, we will have the basic copy, it’s text only. It will be available in bookstores across Nigeria and, globally, on Amazon.com and their kindle platform.

What inspired you to write this story?*

About ten years ago, I stumbled on this six-word story written by Ernest Heminway, For sale: baby’s shoes. Never used. Tt’s about a pregnant woman who bought shoes for her future child, but tragically, the child never got to wear them. The story is really brief and profound. So I gave myself a challenge to write something similar. This project started as that, six-word story. With time I discovered that some stories couldn’t retain their profoundness within the limit of six-words. I became more flexible with the number of words I used but I as still committed to using the least number of words possible for as long as the story is profound. In Don’t Tell These Stories you will find stories that are just six words and other that are more, in fact most of the stories can be described as very short stories, not six-word stories. I didn’t want to box myself with number of words. I followed my muse.

*Q: Why very short stories?*

Times have changed. We live in the most distracted era ever so literature as we know it needs to evolve as well to keep performing its function in shaping the consciousness of society as large. I am writing for the distracted generation. Thomas Hardy wrote Tess of the d’Urbervilles for people without Television, radio or digital entertainment. He wrote for people that will queue to read the news bulletin. His writings were accessed by most people that could read then. Literature and fiction, as a genre, were the mainstream entertainment. So people that could read had their consciousness and morality shaped by the works of these great authors. Overtime, literature has been struggling to have that kind of influence because of the influx of other active entertainment platforms. Most people that could read now don’t see literature as the go-to entertainment. The percentage of literary audience among the large literate population is decreasing every year. We need to do something about it.

I’m writing for a people with fleeting attention span. I want to do fiction that will actually be read by most people that can read and I hope to have profound effect on their consciousness using the least number of words possible. All the feedback I have had on this project have been exciting. “I will totally read this”, I have heard that from countless number of people during preview sessions.

How do stories shape the society?*

We are shaped by things we experience. If people are exposed to low-thought materials on social media it will influence the how they think and perceive the world around them. There’s no vacuum in nature. Literature and its long form structure have struggled to keep up with the evolving reading audience. That needs to be fixed. Literary works are not just stories, they are philosophical gems delivered in stories. I aim to improve the quality of thought and conversation with my work. The stories in my book might be short but a lot thought went into writing every single line.

Can you give a general view of what the book is book?*

The themes I explored are today’s: the external pressures on relationships, the daily conflict with conscience, japa, race, morality, traditional values that we need to regain and those we need to lose among others. There’s a story that I really like, it’s titled Viral Hugs:
John’s depression tweet got 30,000 likes, 10,000 shares. And zero phone call.

The story is really short but it’s gained traction among younger audience that are living in the dual reality of digital vs physical worlds.

Looking ahead, what upcoming events are you most excited about?*

I am most excited about my upcoming exhibition on the 27th of October, which will take place in Lagos, Nigeria. It’s an exclusive event to launch my project. The exhibition is set to fully explore the multi-modal nature of the book, Don’t Tell These Stories. We’re creating a space for people to not just read, but experience these stories and make memories off it.

What is your long-term vision for these project? How do you hope they will evolve in the future?*

My long-term vision is to take my exhibitions beyond Lagos. I plan to host book shows and exhibitions events in various cities across world. After I’m done with Lagos, London is next.
There’s a universal aspect to my stories and I think the world should experience it.

What challenges did you encounter while writing this book, and how did you overcome them?*

Honestly, I didn’t face many external challenges, but I did struggle personally. There were moments I had doubts on proceeding on a story because of its sensitive nature but I remind myself that that’s the whole essence of the book, Stories that shouldn’t be told.

The stories are thought-provoking and addresses themes that some might find uncomfortable. I have pushed through that internal struggle and defied self-doubts to finish the project. I was able to pushcthrough because of the support of family, my partners at The hook and my creative sparring partner, Ayo Ishola. They have all made these project a reality.

What impact do you want your project to have on the world?*

To make the world a better place: from the level of the individual to the world at large

Thank you for making out time to have this conversation*

Thank you for having me.

Apapa Iganmu Constituency II Praises Hon. Musibau Lawal As Stakeholder Meeting Holds

– Political Big-Wigs In Apapa Iganmu Commend Law Maker As 300 Constituents Enjoy Lagos Health Insurance Scheme

– Lagos Health Insurance Scheme: Hon. Musibau Aina Lawal Registers 300 Constituent… Political Big-Wigs Commend Effort

Sahara Weekly Reports That To make life better for the people of Apapa Iganmu COnstituency II, Hon. Muisbau Aina Lawal, a member of Lagos State House of Assembly has registered well over 300 members of his Constituency into the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme (Ilera Eko)

The benefit came during the 9th Constituency Stakeholders’ meeting held simultaneously in all 40 Constituencies in Lagos State on the 11th of October 2024 with the topic: “Ensuring Food Security for a Sustainable Future: Youth Participation and Home-Grown Farming.

Also, the Constituents had the privilege to check their details as there were Dental Nurses and other health personnel on the ground to add color to the event.

The event began with a welcome address by the Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Dr. Mrs. Funmilayo Akande Muhammed, in her speech, she welcomed everyone to the meeting and also expressed gratitude to Hon. Musibau for his remarkable achievements during the few months in office and his dedication to the growth and development of Apapa II.

Delivering the message of the Speaker. Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, the Host, Hon. Musibau Aina Lawa,l highlighted the importance of food security to the Countr, more specifically Lagos Stat,e due to its population, the steps taken by the Lagos State Government to improve Food Security in the State. He further stated that empowering Youth to participate in farming is essential to ensuring long-term food security and economic stability in the country.

Also, Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, the MD/CEO of LSDPC and the Chief Host, expressed confidence in the ability and capabilities of Hon. Lawal Aina Musibau. He assured the good people of Apapa II that the Host had requisite experience for the delivery, and the testimonies of people attest to the fact.

During the question-and-answer session, Hon. Musibau reiterated his commitment to Maintaining an open line of communication with the people. He took the opportunity to outline his achievements in areas such as employment facilitation, financial support, medical treatment subsidization, empowerment, admission facilitation, etc.

These achievements were met with applause from the Constituents, who expressed satisfaction with his scorecard and encouraged him not to relent in the discharge of his

Legislative duties.

In attendance was a representative from Oba Fatai Aromire Ojora, the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom, ably represented by the Baale of Marine Beach, Dr. Joseph Ogunmola, also Party Leaders such as Hon. Ayodeji Joseph (MD/CEO, LSPDC); Hon. Funmilayo Akande Muhammed (Chairman Apapa Iganmu LCDA); Hon. Wale Babatunde; Hon. Morufu Gbadamosi Ojora, Hon. Toyin Aweda; Baales, Baloguns and Iyalodes.

Also was a large number of Community Members, representatives from the Lagos State House of Assembly; Youth Representatives, Security Agencies, Media Representatives, and representatives from the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Wife of the Honourable, Mrs. Zaynab Abosede Lawal also supported people in the area with different gift items worth millions of naira as a quiz competition was held to commemorate the gathering.

THREAT BY THE DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS TO NEUTRALIZE ALHAJI MUJAHID DOKUBO ASARI UNDERMINES DEMOCRATIC SECURITY IN NIGERIA:

By; Rt Hon. Gabriel Patterson Unyeowaji

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters in relation to a comment allegedly made by Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo – Asari, the President/CEO of Royal Fouche Security Limited has threatened to neutralize him by viciously inviting him to a none existent battlefield.

In a press release by Major General Edward Buba, it stated that they will take out Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari. This statement is a threat to democracy as it violates the Constitution of Nigeria. It is only a court of competent jurisdiction that can determine what will happen to any Citizen of the Nigerian State.

The position of the Defence Headquarters without any official investigation of whatever it is that Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari may have said depicts complicity in the event that warranted the comment allegedly made by him. If this issue is approached correctly, the first step is to revisit the comment which is expressly a comment of self defence and homeowners right enshrined in the laws of Nigeria.

If I remember correctly, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari said that the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike has sent a helicopter that bears no insignia to be hovering specifically over his residence, In Obuama, Rivers State. There is no law in Nigeria that permits any AirCraft to specifically fly or however around a private residence without official permission as it violates the right of the home owner enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria that protects right to private and family life hence, sailent questions needs to be asked the Defence Headquarters such as:

1. Did the Defence Headquarters order the unmarked Helicopter Gunship to fly or hover specifically over the residence of Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari?

2. If yes then for what reasons especially him being a provider of security in assistance to the Federal Government and if no then why the haste to rise in defence of an aircraft that has violated the Constitutional Provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

3. Why did the Defence Headquarters leave out the complain by Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Asari-Dokubo about the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike is it that they’re protecting him and is it not clear that they’re deliberately after Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo -Asari to murder him given that their statement bears no other humane intellectual argument other than to kill him?

4. Isn’t it possible that there are rogue elements in the ranks and file of the Defense Headquarters otherwise why the threat instead of approaching the issue through an official and diplomatic channel since the AirCraft is in clear violation of the law and if so, is the Defence Headquarters not protecting such rogue elements who could have launched an illegal mission?

The Nigerian Military should know that it does not have parallel governing Authority and Power in this democracy and exercising such unilaterally undermines Nigeria’s Democracy rather the authority and power it exercises comes from the laws of Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution and the various Acts of the National Assembly and there is nowhere it is empowered to threaten Citizens of the Country especially one who has contributed immensely to the Country security wise.

Again, the Defence Headquarters should channel it’s professional skills of neutralization to tackle the Banditry and Terrorism that has been festering in the North for years. Also it should focus same professional skills of neutralization to recapture the Boko Haram Terrorists that it enrolled into it’s rank and file who has now absconded with sophisticated weapons from the armoury of the military and who are now at large and a source of severe danger to a large catchment of our civilian population.

Finally the Military should not involve themselves in politics of Rivers State or Nigeria in general but should remain neutral. The situation in Rivers State allows Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo- Asari to be conscious of security of his life and that of his loved ones, therefore it is vexatious for any Aircraft whether Military or Civilian to be hovering over his residence specifically. Hence, it is out of place to threaten him over whatever he says (having a right to freedom of speech) in relation to the danger and insecurity to himself and his people triggered by that unmarked Aircraft.

On this note it will be in order if Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo – Asari files for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights against the Defence Headquarters because it has no right to act anyhow or recklessly. Also the attention of the National Assembly especially the Senate Committee on Defence is to be called to invite representatives of the Defence Headquarters for questioning. We are in a Democracy not in a Military regime and as such no agency of Government can hold the country to ransom.

Rt Hon. Gabriel Patterson Unyeowaji
Igrigi 1 of Niger Delta.