In this interview with Valentine Okolo the author of the thought provoking poetry book: I Will Be Silent speaks on the inspiration and much more :
Godwin Iheancho: Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Valentine Okolo: I got it from the title of a poem I wrote called “I Will Be Silent.” This was a poem I wrote concerning the genocide which happened in Darfur, Sudan, many years ago. I wrote it in response to the then international media blackout that occurred during that period and how men and young male children were systematically slaughtered by government supported Janjaweed militia. And how women were also gang raped, and impregnated by their oppressors, and sometimes mutilated.
In genocides rape is most times weaponized by the aggressive side, and the suffering sides to such wickedness are women, old and young. Such actions tear at my core and reveal mankind’s depravity at its worst. That poem and a few others similar to it form the back bone of the book.
Genocides, sex slavery, rape and a few other indignities suffered by many women in improvished regions of the world continue still. Boko Haram, and it’s aftermath, the Fulani Herdsmen follow in the footsteps of the Janjaweed militia in Sudan which commited those attrocities with government blessings.
In Nigeria, it is apparent that the government is in accord with Boko Haram and the Fulani Herdsmen as it has repeatedly played to the gallery whenever it is called to question regarding the poor equipments deployed and the improvishment of military troops sent to the effected regions to combat the insurgency. Rather, they result in the use of euphemisms by calling the terrorists “Bandits” and the deployment of mass media propaganda to negate the seriousness of the insurgency.
The entire idea of the book is centred around the themes of pain, and perseverance that these people, and may more like them in different regions of the world, face and have to endure constantly.
I Will Be Silent is not just a book to me. It is more than that. It is a call to witness. It is a series of poems which proceed not from the heart but from the gut of tribulation and endurance. It is a book which bears witness to the collected voices who cannot speak for themselves because they have been silenced.
Godwin Iheancho: How do you get inspired to write?
Valentine Okolo: Most times I feel the emotions of others when I write. In those moments I become that which I write about. I see with their eyes, I hear with their ears, I feel with their skin. In those moments I cease to be myself, and become someone else. I become her, they, it. I become someone’s dreams. And relive, sometimes, their nightmares.
I write from a place of suffering. From a place of joy. I explore the two extremes in my poetry.
In my book I Will Be Silent I wrote many poems which grew from those two extremes. Or should I say, some poems made me write them inspired by these extremes of human existence.
I most times don’t plan a poem in advance. Some poems, if I may use the expression, fall at my feet, almost fully formed. They are a few poems, however, that I do make plans to write in advance. And in order to write them I have to enter into a period of poetic gestation. A period in which I allow the idea of the poem to take root and grow within me until it is ready to be birthed. Sometimes the gestation period may take a few days. Sometimes it can take months or even years.
I like writing organically. So I don’t force anything out. I allow myself to be. I allow myself to feel. I allow the words to come to me like the wind. And I try to catch whatever message that is whispered in the breeze.
Godwin Iheancho : What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Valentine Okolo: First, they should close their eyes and feel. And then write what they felt. Some of the notable works of literature (which includes fiction, non fiction, poetry, science fiction and so on) were written from an abundance of feelings. If you don’t feel what you have written, don’t expect someone else to feel it too. (Unless, you want to be too intellectual and write drab college textbooks.)
Your writing has to move you first before you expect it to move someone else. Write what you feel first. Then put it away for awhile, and then look at it again with the eyes of a stranger. If you read what you had written earlier with the stranger’s eyes and say to yourself: “Wow! Did I write this?” Then someone else will also be wowed by it as well.
Words convey emotions. Be successful in conveying your emotions in your lines.
Next is style.
If expressing your emotions is fuel for your writing, see style as your technique for progress.
See writing as you would a dance in progress. A dancer may have the necessary energy to prance about. But this prancing alone without an arranged motion may not result in anything beautiful to behold. A dancer uses learned dancing techniques and translates those techniques and that energy into beautiful motions (insert here any dance style of your choice: ballet, foxtrot, salsa, tango, hip-hop, contemporary, and so on). When done properly these motions of choreography capture your attention. For a writer, style is like those beautiful motions. Some you can learn from the writings of someone else. Some you can teach yourself.
If you can afford it, enrol into a good writing class with a teacher that you respect his or her style of writing. Such a person will help ground you in the proper techniques of sentence constructions, and the proper use of words, characterizations and lots more.
Godwin Iheancho: What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Valentine Okolo: It allows me to state what I feel. It allows me to display on a blank page the potency of my thoughts. I am a poet. And I write poetry. And to me words are not just a means of communication. To me words are life. Words carry with them a strong creative force. A force that makes things happen. The first thing that happened in the creation of this planet was the issue of a command. From God Almighty Himself. As documented in the Bible book of Genesis where it was written that there was darkness every where and the Earth was void and without form and the Spirit of God was hovering over the deep. And God Himself uttered the immortal words that started the beginning of life in this world. He said: “Let there be light.” And lo, light came to be. And illuminated the perpetual darkness.
Jesus Christ Himself used words to heal. It was written in the Gospels that He issued words of command and the blind were made to see, the lame walk, and the diseased were made clean. Even to the point of raising the dead. The words: “Lazarus, come forth!” are perhaps one of the most unforgettable lines I have ever read in any form of literature. Because they were more than just words. A mummified man who was dead for four days heard them from beyond the grave and rose to life!
Godwin Iheancho: How do you deal with writer’s block?
Valentine Okolo: I empty my mind. And do something else that is not related to what I am writing about. Sometimes I take long walks, and focus on being in the present. As I walk, I take note of the rise and fall of the land, the diverse faces of people, the roaming animals, and the sounds coming from cars and motorcycles. Most times when I do this ideas flow to me freely, clearing my imaginative inhibitors.
Get the book: I Will Be Silent on Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/valentineokolo
You can also follow him on Twitter. His handle: @poetval.
What You Need To Know About Award-Winning Nigerian Actor, Mustapha Sholagbade
Mustapha Ololade Sholagbade, born on January 1, 1989, in Ebute Metta, Lagos, is an accomplished Nigerian actor, producer, and filmmaker with a deep passion for Yoruba cinema. Originally from Abeokuta, Ogun State, he is the first child in his family. Sholagbade began his education at Kadara Primary School and continued at Sojomen Talabi High School, Akute, and Nawairudeen Secondary School, Ebute Metta. He later earned an Ordinary Narional Diploma in Business Administration from the Lagos State Polytechnic. Pursuing his passion for acting, he trained at Odunfa Caucus, where he graduated in 2010.
Sholagbade launched his acting career in 2005, making a name for himself in Yoruba-language films. His portfolio includes roles in popular films like Olowo Ghetto, Alaimo, Ebun Mi, Esi, Gold and Treasure, Liam, Emilomo Babaolowo, Oko Aunty Mi, Broken Bond (Tude), and Last Born. In addition to acting, he has also produced several films, further cementing his influence in the industry.
Beyond the entertainment world, Sholagbade is a versatile professional with experience in railway engineering, IT support, and site management in the UK. He is also a farmer and general merchant, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and diverse skill set.
Throughout his career, Sholagbade has collaborated with top figures in Yoruba cinema, such as Yinka Quadri, Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan, Funke Akindele, Femi Adebayo, Odun Adekola, Oga Bello, Baba Wande, Jide Kosoko, Funsho Adeolu, Fathia William Balogun, Saidi Balogun, Wunmi Toriola, and Mide Martins.
Sholagbade’s hobbies include traveling, business, football, filmmaking, and meeting new people, reflecting his dynamic and outgoing personality.
Sholagbade’s talent and dedication to his craft have earned him numerous accolades, including: Best Actor Yoruba – BON Awards, 2024, Best Supporting Actor– Afro Nollywood Awards, UK, 2019, Best Supporting Actor– Heritage Awards, Atlanta, USA, Best Supporting Actor of the Year (Yoruba) – City People Movie Awards, Best New Actor of the Year (Yoruba) – City People Movie Awards.
With his achievements and versatility, Mustapha Ololade Sholagbade remains a notable force in the Nigerian film industry and a proud ambassador of Yoruba cinema worldwide.
World Famous to Sanwo-Olu: save upcoming artists from drug peddlers in promoter skin
Sahara Weekly Reports That The fast-rising artiste in Nigeria entertainment world, Ayomide Olamide also known as World Famous, on Sunday hang out with friends and fans to further establish unity. The ‘Meh Meh Meh’ crooner who is making a great wave on his social media handles dropped a message for his music lovers explaining why he chose to hang out with them.
The event which took place at CareerMega Bar in Alagbado area of Lagos State had World Famous, captivate his audience with hit songs to further established friendship chain amongst his friends and lovers both home and abroad.
According to Famous, the show is more than just music but an idea to focus on setting an interactive session among his counterparts and also to play games as means of relaxation.
‘I have a dream that one day, the government will create room for upcoming artists so that they won’t cross the line of drug peddlers in promoter’s skin.
According to Prince Christopher Gold, C.E.O, Life compass travel & Tours, who had earlier facilitated famous tour to Ghana in 2022, made it his duty to draw a large crowd, personalities, socialites, celebrities and influencers to the event and also promised to make it annual event which will also showcase and further add to the vibrant ambiance of many upcoming artistes.
World Famous, who is also known as Akeweje Quibla , a famous Afro hippo artist is also promise to share the lyrics of his new hit with his lovers and new found admirers on his social media handles just to blend them in his upcoming video shoot in other to give a long lasting impression on his new admirers which will further establish their bond.
” Meh Meh Meh, his latest track is still making waves.
Nollywood Actress Omolara Kasali Honored at Nigerian Canadian Celebrities Entertainment Awards
Mississauga-Centre Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, has extended her heartfelt congratulations to Nollywood actress Omolara Kasali Dada, who received a Special Recognition Award at the 7th edition of the Nigerian Canadian Celebrities Entertainment Awards. The prestigious event was held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Royal King Event Center in Etobicoke, Canada.
In her congratulatory message, MPP Kusendova-Bashta expressed her admiration for Dada’s significant contributions to promoting Nigerian culture and entertainment in Canada and beyond. “It is my pleasure to congratulate Omolara Kasali Dada for being awarded the Special Recognition Award,” she wrote. “I am honored to recognize Omolara for her outstanding contributions to the preservation and enrichment of Nigerian cultural heritage.”
The annual awards ceremony celebrates individuals who have made a meaningful impact on the community by promoting and preserving Nigerian culture. Kusendova-Bashta praised Omolara’s role in strengthening cultural ties between Canada and Nigeria and enriching Canada’s multicultural landscape. She added, “Dedicated individuals like Omolara ensure that our rich heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.”
The event celebrated prominent figures who have played a vital role in preserving Nigerian traditions and enhancing cultural pride. The award to Omolara Kasali Dada stands as a testament to her dedication and influence within the Nigerian-Canadian community.
Natalia Kusendova-Bashta extended her best wishes for a memorable and inspiring celebration, highlighting the importance of cultural recognition events in building a diverse and unified community.