Young Nigerian writers tell their dreams, prospects for 2016

Compiled by Awaal Gata

Farida Adamu
In 2016, I just want to grow. I want to do better than I did in previous years. I am part of a literary organisation known as “COAl” in Jos; and we have a lineup of activities for this year.
I believe that stories that matter should be told and so I am embarking on a project dubbed “Portraits of BAY” in which I intend to take stories of people affected by insurgency in the North-East and publish them on a blog. The aim of this is to get for them help and support from international and local communities.

Saddiq Dzukogi
This year, I want to see a literary space where the voice of the new writer will matter. Every art enthusiast should engage in a positive drive to promote new talents springing up daily. I want to see a space where art administrators will respect the fact that there is a need to support new voices because that’s where the future is, the talent of the old folks is well spent, it is time to focus on the new. I am no prophet, but great things will come to Nigerian Literature in 2016, and it is coming through the hundreds of young “voices rising”.

Rasaq Maliq Gbolahan
I want to read more books, write more poems, and submit to literary journals. I would like to mentor young writers; I mean passionate and emerging writers. Also, I am planning to publish my debut poetry collection.

Maryam Aliko Mohammed
I want to read a book ‘a week of Nigerian writers’, and I hope to write better this year too. I am especially interested in Northern Nigerian writers and I hope to see more and read more brilliant books from them.

David Ishaya Osu
I want to read more than 150 poetry books this year, and I’ve already started. My manuscripts is in progress and they shall continue to progress under every possible pruning. As always, I shall be sharing my poetry with various audiences via publications here and there. The big one for me now is that: I was selected to attend the 2016 USA Callaloo Creative Writing Workshop, at Brown University. So, I’m soliciting for funds for my travel expenses. The workshop is to be held June 12-25. What is important, for me, is to keep writing and arting and sharing the goodness of humanity.

Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu
I hope to read more this year, for that is the surest way of learning. Books are not just a collection of leaves on which words have been printed; they are miracles waiting to be discovered through being read.
Most of my poems are posted on my Facebook wall, I hope to take a step further this year by sending new poems to online and print journals.
Also, I hope to meet some writers whose works I adore; writers such
as Nnedi Okoroafor, Lola Shoneyin and Mona Elthaway (there is no harm at all in dreaming) are readily on my list. I am also looking forward to the release of some books, like Nnedi Okoroafor’s book and Amu Nnadi’s new books of poetry.