Poetry can be used to correct ills of society –Prince HTO

Abdulhafeez Taiye Oyewole is popularly known as, Prince HTO. He is a poet, who is passionate about poetry and a social scientist who specialises in development communication. In this interview with Abdulrahman Zakariyau, the Kwara-born poet explained how poems can be used to proffer solution to the ills of the society.

How did you start up as a poet and why poetry?

I started up as a lover of words, who wrote on scraps of paper. As time went on I realised those ideas I penned down, the words could be sharpened.

It may interest you to know that I started out as a dramatist or playwright and my first complete manuscript was completed after I finished my primary education.
For poetry, it was during my junior school that I discovered I could pen a poem, and my first was titled ‘Cos I Why’ which I remembered penning on chalk board before copying it in my note.

So, in trying to express myself and my views about the society and issue classified as mundane or awkward, and to capture it succinctly in few lines, I have found my voice in poetry. I express myself and my point better through this important genre of literature.

Where do you get your inspiration?

From my short tales about how poetry found me, you should have known that the source of it has been the Divine. He inspires me to observing the society and people around it, including myself, nature, character, characteristics among others and I write on them.

How do you think poetry can be used to correct the ills of our society?

Poetry can be used to correct the ills of the society, when a poet writes on: those ills, their implications; gives similitude of the impact of it in the lives and the future of that society.

Though, writing alone is not the solution, but publishing the writings through mediums accessible to the poet’s target audience is paramount too. If all these are properly carried out, poets can in one way or the other help correct some of these ills.

How many published work do you have and are you working on anything new?

To the glory of God Almighty, I have been able to complete two collections of poetry titled: Tides of Verses (2015) and Air Around Us (2017). They are both accessible online.

I’m planning to have them in print soon. I’m also rounding off my drama book titled: Sidikatu Baba, which I started as a series online sometimes in 2015.

My old second drama manuscripts had been found, dusted and passed to an old colleague for proofreading. These two drama works I hope to complete in no distant time.

Writing is a continuous process as reading, so I’m equally experimenting on an emotionally inclined poem which I hope to make a chapbook too.
I pray for God’s favour in 2018. I wish these works to see the light of the day then.

How has it been given apathy for literature in Nigeria?

I think I will agree with you that literary intellectualism is not well regarded as expected especially in this part of the world we find ourselves.

Part of the scheme to sail through is by aligning myself with like minds: connecting with writers, poets, authors and their promoters in individuals, bodies and organizations to have a space for my works. These among others are why I joined the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA).

Do you have a role model or mentor and how have they impacted on you?

I don’t have particular mentors or models in this field yet, as both products of young and old writers interest and spur me on to write. What I am saying in essence is I enjoy reading good literary works, from local and international literary sites, Social media etc.

I also enjoy books from both local and international authors. For instance, the simplicity of Prof. Niyi Osundare’s poems, Gabriel Okara, J.P Clark and a host of other finest writers have influenced my way of delivering my poems.

Poetry is an emotion or an incidence or thoughts that can be captured in few lines. It uses less to say more. As a picture conveys a thousand messages/stories, poetry uses words to paint a thousand stories/meanings.
It remains a fact that poetry can be taught and learnt. One will make fortune out of poetry when one is true to his or her writing. Aside that, a poet with one or two anthology should launch his or her book, attend literary workshops, conventions, art festivals etc where he will have audience or better still buyer for his or her literary efforts.

What are your challenges so far?

My biggest challenge is finance. I told you I currently have my anthologies in e-books. I need enough funds to have them in print copies to market and distribute nationwide. I need money to publish other works I’m currently working on.

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

They should embrace the neo-publishing method, which is self-publishing. But, they shouldn’t rush to the press. They shouldn’t be daunted by rejection letters they received from their numerous submissions to local and international publishers or magazines or online literary platforms.

They should focus on honing their God giving talents. They should be consistent with their reading and writings, while being responsible and responsive to peaceful coexistence of our dear nation, Nigeria and the world at large.

They should be like me who is a poet, born in Nigeria but from wherever you (my audience) come from.
Finally, they should be selfless and not selfish and the sky will be their starting points.

What do you do when you are not writing?

When I am not writing, like other humans, I sleep, I help my parents, I watch movies, I read, I watch television and listen to radio. And yes, I play too.

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