MOMENT WITH JOVITA

The first question will be: Who is Jovita Efehi Obadolagbonyi?

Jovita Efehi Obadolagbonyi is the grandson of late Chief  Obadolagbonyi. The Obadolagbonyi of Benin. He is the founder of Unitingwalls publisher. Unitingwalls Ecommerce and also an Author. He has  Authored several books both  fiction and non fiction. 

He is the Author of the book.  Tales of an African child. Legend of Idia: The call of the man. Crusade at dawn. Murders in St Anne's.  In perspective of the journey of man: The new Nigeria and the boy.

I read on a platform a question that was asked. The question was: What makes a writer? The fact that you write? Or the fact that you have a following or a platform?

People write for several reasons. 

But I write just for a reason.

The reason is to help bring light to Africa's storytelling in a unique way that will make the world understand and unravel the empirical and verifiable truth of the Africa Society.

My book titles will give you an insight of what my writing is all about. From Tales of an African child, legend of Idia: The call of the mask and perspective of the journey of man: The new Nigeria and the boy

Tales of An African Child is a metaphoric literature book that actually talked about the challenges of the African Child. Right from birth through all the days of his life. Why things remained so for him, the protagonist character and how life turned around.  The prose fiction is a systemic trilogy to rebuild the African society.

The Legend of Idia: The call of the mask talked about the stolen mask of Benin whose image is the Festac mask.

I elaborately and metaphorically explained the importance of these artifacts, relics and antiquities stolen from Benin City. But, in a simple literary prose to ventilate the minds of the looters, see reasons why it should be returned to its place of origin. 

I criticized that harboring these artifacts in very long time would only result to a threnodic ends for morality, customs and traditions of our historic development

In perspective of the journey of man: The new Nigeria and the boy. Is a poem. My aim was to remember Nigerians why we are Nigerians and also to remind us of who we are. That we were humans before we became Nigerians.

So, how did you get into writing?

Writing is a calling for me. I believe it's my destiny. 

I actually compiled the book Tales of an African child at the age of 12 but delayed its publication to 2014. Where I got a publication deal in the United Kingdom. 

I write effortlessly. I transcends from above

Do you submit to the opinion that anyone who intends to become a writer must go through a writing academy of a sort?

No. 

But writing is of different kinds and types.

While writers come in different categories of  talents.

If you are not a natural born writer. I would suggest one go through a writing academy to obtain or straighten his/her  writing skills.  Even some natural born writers still require some sort of academic instructions or learning. 

It depends. 

Because one cannot go through a writing academy does not stop one from becoming a writer.

Let's talk about your first book Tales of an African Child. What inspired you to write the book?

I was inspired to write the book Tales of an African child by the things  seen around me.

The life of  protagonist Useh was a tough one. He had everything going well for him at the beginning of his life. 

But, after the demise of his father. There was a drastic change. Useh suffered painful  neglect from his extended family. Far worst. The government never helped him. He was left in the cold streets of wanton neglect and perpetual poverty.

Most writers focus on one aspect of writing. What I mean is, a particular genre of literature. Is it possible for a writer to be equal to the task in the three genres of literature to the point that you can't say which they do best?

Honestly.  I believe I am in the best position to answer this.

I have written nonfiction and fiction. 

My first book was a self- help religious book. I published this in 2010.

Entitled codes of a successful life.

After writing this book. I switched to fictional books. 

For me it doesn't really matter.  If you are a writer you can write on anything. 

But if you continue to write in one genre all over and over again.  You will master it and become a master in it.

Many books without numbers have been published the world over. Can you actually say that the changes that the writers of these books are pushing forward for society eventually materialize? Do literary texts affect any positive changes  in society?

Yes. Without writers the world will fail and the system can not sustain itself. 

The world itself is coded in writings. Our history was written on papyrus hieroglyphics.

The greatest politicians, revolutionists, authors, poets, musicians etc are all writers.

They are the ones who have kept this world in a better form.

We need more of these talents. We need more writers to unravel the secrets of the world. 

We need the oppressed to write about the oppressors. 

We need politicians to write about our political past and future. 

We need the revolutionists to write about the need for a revolution.

In all these and through all these.  We will understand the importance of writers in our society and how they have shaped the world.

To become a writer, what are those things that should be at the back of the mind of the aspiring writer, especially the peculiar case of our country?

To be a writer is to be sacrificial, passionate, selfless and enthusiastic. 

You must be sacrificial because the road is narrow. You must be passionate because passion is the only oil that can ride you through this narrow road. You must be selfless because so my sycophants and cynical persons will want to influence you with money when you finally rise to the top. Whoever does this should please know that they are killing and murdering the very essence of writing.

Be enthusiastic and persevere.  Every good thing will come to those who believe. 

In a country like Nigeria you need everything I just mentioned. 

Above all. If you are a writer in Nigeria.  You need a writer insurance scheme. (smiles). I hope this is funny.?

What advice do you have for writers who intend to make millions from their creativity? Should they be hopeful or there are some realities to contend with?

Honestly.  To make millions from writing is easy if you know the way. But if you don't, it is very hard and frustrating. 

Majority of Nigerian authors are poor.  Please, I do not mean to offend anyone. 

Writers must be involved in cooperative societies. Writers should have a solid union and imbibe the spirit of standing for one and another. 

Nothing cannot flourish in togetherness. 

If it is finance in a union of 300 persons that are writers.  If each donated 1000k or even 2k 3 or 10k. That is how much?

Writers should look past the government.  If they are well and so mighty the government will look for them.

What advice do you have for writers who get fresh story ideas and abandon the one they are currently  working on? Is it a general problem or lack of focus?

Extreme lack of focus.  Although it is not a bad  idea to abandon an ongoing project and then opt for another if all the resources both materially and otherwise are not there for the former. 

But before a writing project must be prepared and before one must begin, one must examine and put everything into consideration.

It's a waste of time, energy and resources to drift away from one project to another, especially in writing. It's frustrating!

What is your take on self publishing? Is it better than the traditional method of publishing?

Traditional publishing has always been there since writing started. It is more convenient and stress free.

But nowadays to get a Traditional publishing deal is  very difficult especially for new authors. 

But there is one you forgot to mention which is hybrid publishing.  Please don't get involved in this.  Don't do it.

I still prefer self-publishing.  

The self publishing is a bit hectic but you can do it. You just need to learn the process from someone who has an idea.

Tell us about the hybrid kind of publishing.

Hybrid publishing is a kind of publishing where the publisher asks you to pay part of the publishing money and also share the cost of marketing. 

What is the need of this if one can just self publish?

Any last words for creatives?

Yes. They should be pragmatic.

Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you, brother. 

We have come to the end of the interview. You can link up with my guest via the following platforms:

Facebook: @JovitaefehiObadolagbonyi Website: www.jovitaefehiobadolagbonyi.com Linkedin.com:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovita-efehi-obadolagbonyi-0a809865

From here, we say thank you. I remain Yours Truly,

Julius Topohozin.