Abubakar Akote is a Minna-based budding poet and writer. In this chat with AWAAL GATA, he laments that successful writers don’t like grooming the upcoming ones.
How did you begin as a writer?
Right from my early days in the village, I had passion for writing.
But as a child who grew up in an environment where there was no library, I couldn’t find much materials to read.
I got to know library when I got into JSS one at Government Secondary School, Wushishi. In JSS Two, I was introduced to Literary Club by our English Teacher, Mallam Idris Matajiyan. But the major problem we had was that we were just into literary club without the knowledge of literature because there was nobody to teach us. It was just like gambling.
My first meeting with writers was in 2009 during a convention hosted by ANA Niger. I was invited by my elder brother, Baba Akote.
What was your first inspiration?
My mother’s death. I was at JFLA-CAILS (Justice Fati Lami College of Arts and Islamic Legal Studies, Minna) when the news of her death came to me. I wrote my first poem in her honour, and it was published in “Breaking the Bud”, an anthology.
What is the recurring motif of your poetry collection in the works?
The ungodly things happening in our society as caused by individuals pretending to be protectors of our future. There is a series of frauds that have been committed in our environment by those whose voice are louder and pretending that they are protecting the society. But in a deep sense, they are not actually helping. It happens in individual levels, group levels and at leadership levels. Exploitation, betrayal and crisis have continued to envelop our society because sincere people now rarely exist.
The younger generations have continued to sink in shallow ditches dug by selfish elders and fathers. They have continued to belittle us despite the fact that they have seen something considerably good in us. There must be justice in real sense if our society wants peace.
Younger generation must be protected, saved and allowed to take decisions on their own.
What’s the main import of your writing? Is it the aesthetics, the theme, or the hybrid of the two?
The theme. Although aesthetics are also very important because they help in conveying the messages effectively, you write for different people with different tastes. But what I am more concerned with is the lesson I want my readers to learn. In attempting to teach that lesson,
I have a duty to use good language, not necessarily a difficult one.
Some writers or poets take creation of imagery to mean the use of big words or phrases. I love simple poems.
Also, looking at the course I studied which is Mass Communication, my messages are for all. In it, using language that everybody will understand is a necessity. But the language, no matter how simple it is, should be beautiful.
How are you learning the skills?
Actually, I have learned nothing about the rules of writing. But in my first year at IBB University, I did an elective course called Introduction to Creative Writing, which was taught by Dr E. E. Sule.
He taught us poetry writing and other genres as well. What he taught us and my effusive readings are guiding me now.
What challenges are you facing?
Lack of support. We have writers in Nigeria who have excelled and should serve as mentors, but are not willing to help. Everybody seems to be busy nourishing his own home. I had contacted many writers to help look at my poems, but the response has not been encouraging.
Only few writers are ready to make genuine sacrifice in seeing to others succeeding.
I am also challenged financially. I want to buy good books and attend workshops, but the financial strenght is not there.
Is ANA not doing enough in nurturing budding writers?
ANA might be doing it somewhere, but I am not a beneficial. The thing is, many frontline writer in ANA are not patient enough to mentor the upcoming ones. I asked one of them the question at IBB University while I was a campus reporter, and he told me that people cannot abandon their jobs because of my work.
I don’t know if ANA is doing anything to promote writing, because I don’t even follow their activities any more. I don’t like the kind of politics members play in recent times. I don’t like crisis.
How do you intend to publish your debut? When do you expect it on the
bookstand?
I just gave it out to my friend, Paul T. Liam. As an experienced poet, he would help me weigh the poems. Who was ready to help me go through them? When Paul is done, I will go swallow his comments hook, line and sinker, before taking the next step.
For now, I can’t set a date. Publishing requires money, and I don’t have it. For now, I just need editors and proof-readers; am not eager to be an author.
What are the books that are readily on your nightstand?
“Death of a Sales Man,” by Arthur Miller; “The Jero Plays,” by Wole Soyinka: “Without a Silver Spoon” and “Wives Revolt” by J. P. Clark. I love “witnesses to Tears,” by Abubakar Gimba, I love “What the Sea Told me” by E. E. Sule, I love “The Black Hermit”, I love “Edible Bone” by Unoma N. Azuah. I also love the “Joys of Motherhood.” These books helped in reshaping my journey in life and as an aspiring writer.
