Nigerian writer, Journalist, Igbo language activist, publicist and literary coach, Izunna Okafor after receiving his 35th award as the “Outstanding Indigenous Language Media Content Creator of the year” at the 2022 Anambra Media Excellence Award organized by the Association of Digital Media Core Advocates (ADMCA) held in Awka on Sunday 25th September 2022. In an exclusive interview with IFEANYI OKONKWO, Mr Okafor spoke on his literary life, activism and other facts surrounding his writing career.
“My name is Izunna Okafor. I was born on the 9th of January, 1994). I am a novelist, poet, journalist, essayist, speech writer, editor, translator, publicist, Igbo language activist and administrator. I am from Ebenator in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria”.
” I graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where I studied Public Administration. I also holds O.N.D in Public Administration from the same university. My books include ‘Ikem’s Adventure’ (my first book, published 2012, during my secondary school days). ‘The Curse of A Widow’ (2013); ‘The Faithful Children’ (published 2014 and given outstanding recognition in the 2015 Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Young Nigerian Novelists); ‘Ajo Enyi’ (Igbo novel, published 2015). During my undergraduate days, I was an Editorial Board member of the FAMASSA Magazine”.
“With ‘Ajo Enyi’, I won the 2015/2016 Nigerian Writers Award as the Indigenous Writer of the Year; won the 2015 Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award/Pita Nwanna Award for Igbo Literature; and also got shortlisted for the 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of The Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award. “I also won the Nigeria Heritage Icon Award/Young Writer of the Year, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
Merit Award from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (2016). Award of Recognition from Students Union Government, UNIZIK (2017). Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016. N.Y.S.C. Essay Competition 2012. SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016. First Prize Winner, NAPAS Essay Competition, 2016. The Future Award Africa, 2016. Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016. Award of Academic Excellence from National Association of Public Administration Students, 2016. Suffice to say I have a lot of accolades to my name.
“My other works include ‘African Blood’ (a short story), ‘Nzúzù M Egbuo M’ (Igbo novel), ‘Educated Illiterate’, and ‘Teach Me Grammar’.
I have edited and co-edited over 25 books and anthologies (published nationally and internationally)”.
His thirst for knowledge has driven him to partake in many seminars which have yielded certificates, they include: Certificate of Recognition from the ImpactField Global Initiative (2018). Certificate of Award from the Applex Art and Creative Crew Africa (2018). Certificate of Completion for the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, 2020. Certificate of Participation, Naija Haiku Poetry Workshop, 2020, among others.
At the age of 21, he was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious African youths awards.
“Asides from being a creative writer, I am an Igbo language activist who has played a great many role in sustaining and promoting Igbo language and culture. I preach and take the ‘gospel’ of Igbo language and the need for its sustenance to every nook and cranny, ranging from schools to churches, radio/television stations. I consider it a part of my own contribution towards ensuring that the language does not go extinct as predicted by the UNESCO in 2012”.
In addition to these, I am a journalist currently working with Anambra Newspaper and Printing Coporation, the publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka Ọ Dị Taa (which is the only Igbo Language Newspaper in Nigeria) and Sportslight Xtra. I also write for Igbo Radio which is an online Igbo language news hub headquartered in Canada, and also freelances for other media/publishing houses, both the online and print media.
I am the Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, which is a literary body that hosts Chinua Achebe Literary Festival, an annual literary event held in memory and honour of Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, since 2016. I am the Editor-in-Chief of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology which is an international anthology annually published in honour of Achebe. The most current editions of the anthology include ‘Arrows of Words (for Chinua Achebe)’, ‘Achebe: A Man of the People’, and ‘There Was a Man’, among others.
“In 2019, I met and discussed literature with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, at a literary evening that climaxed the 2019 Purple Hibiscus Creative Writing Workshop, organized by the international literary figure, Adichie. Due to my love for constructive criticisms I like being in midst of writers and readers of any status, knowing full well that iron sharpens iron, and that learning ends in grave”.
“In April, 2020, I was appointed the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement. I am the editor of the COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled ‘Ripostes of Locked Down Voices’, which is the first international anthology of poems and essays published on COVID-19. I have served as a judge in many national and international writing-related competitions. I am an alumnus and 2020 Fellow of the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship, being championed by the SprinNG Literary Movement. I am an Ambassador of TFA Africa in Nigeria; and an Ambassador of Read Across Nigeria in Anambra State.
“I cannot go out without pen in my pocket, and paper in my wallet. It started since my secondary school days, to the credit of creative writing, and recently, of journalism. My inspiration comes unannounced. Though, I recently learnt to use my phone’s note and its recorder to chronicle the ideas and inspirations as they come (and these are swifter alternatives, and more secure too); I still find it very difficult to go out without pen and paper. What if my phone disappoints me?”.
“I like reading and writing, teaching and learning. I also like dancing, just that I don’t know how to dance. I love the ọja (wooden flute) so much, especially when I am performing poetry in Igbo language. I also like and play keyboard. Similar, I do and enjoy Mbem —ịma mbem, which is an Igbo poetry chant. It is a blend of poetic speech and song wrapped into one (delivered in Igbo language).
“I unwind by ‘dismantling’ a plate of well-garnished abacha (African salad or tapioca) with dry fish, while also sipping from a calabash of fresh pamlwine to help its journey down the oesophagus.
“I react a lot to wrong English, and I am somewhat inquisitive.
