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Category: INTERVIEWS

Nigerians Deserve Themselves – Onyeka Nwelue
June 28, 2021
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| FICTION, INTERVIEWS

As part of the general idea to bridge the gap created by the global pandemic, Covid19, the British Council Literature came up with the ‘British Council International Digital Collaboration Project’ to connect artists across countries.  Our project titled #Wahalaconvo run by the Nigerian writer, Obinna Udenwe, and the British–Nigerian author, Peter Kalu, working with other artists in both Nigerian and the UK, has looked at the Covid19 pandemic, #EndSARS and #BlackLivesMatter, and how they have shaped our lives not…

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The Growth of a Language is Measured by Number of New Speakers that Use it – Conversation with Yvonne Mbanefo
September 19, 2019
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| INTERVIEWS, OPINIONS

            Born in London, England and raised in Enugu, Nigeria, Yvonne Chioma Mbanefo is a co-convener of The Igbo Conference hosted by School of African Studies (SOAS), University of London — a festival that attracts hundreds of language enthusiasts, writers, artists, and entrepreneurs annually.  In 2014 and 2015, Yvonne won the Igbotic person of the year Award by ICSN for her contributions to Igbo language. Her first book, An illustrated Igbo Dictionary for Children,…

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“Our hybridity is one of our biggest advantages.” Su’eddie Agema
September 10, 2019
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| INTERVIEWS

  A book festival in Makurdi? In these days of Boko Haram and insecurity? Jeez! You’ve got guts. This is our first reaction, though it is almost immediately replaced by awe, when we see the Instagram post announcing the inaugural Benue Book and Arts Festival. However, like the toad that does not run in the daytime for nothing, we dare the odds and end up having a refreshing time, learning and unlearning from and with other literature and culture…

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The Art of Creation
May 22, 2018
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| INTERVIEWS

Ibe Ekuma is a self-taught artist with a love of the surreal. She’s about the take the art world by storm. But first, a journey through Nigerian folklore, finding joy and Afrofuturism with Ngum Ngafor. The human body is your muse. Why? I am inspired mostly by the different expressions we make. I love how the body has its own way of communication. You know, facial expressions, smiles, staring eyes, eyes looking into space and so on. And I…

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She’s bent on changing the world
April 22, 2018
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| INTERVIEWS
Jacintha Bent, Nigerian feminist

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari recently courted controversy for describing his nation’s youth as lazy and dependent. Jacintha Bent is a bright young thing whose work challenges that notion. She tells Osemome Ndebbio why the women of her country  must hold their half of the sky. Jacintha, we have followed your *blog and read your works for a while now. They are quite engaging. Tell us more about yourself and what inspired you to research women’s issues? Thank you very…

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“The Internet is freedom.” Julie Owono
February 11, 2018
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| INTERVIEWS
Julie Owono, lawyerate, internet advoc and human rights activist at the bar

A notification springs up on my Facebook feed. Julie Owono has posted a new picture. She and three colleagues are on top of the world. Perched somewhere on the Eiffel Tower, the stylish foursome is ready to pound Paris with advocacy. I smile. It’s hard to forget my cozy chat with this creative baker, polyglot, piano player and internet loving lawyer. I bet you won’t either. Words by Ngum Ngafor You champion freedom of expression on the internet. So,…

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Out of the Chamber of Death: Conversation with Patrice Nganang
February 11, 2018
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| INTERVIEWS
Patrice Nganang, writer and human rights activist

Patrice Nganang is an award-winning writer and a thorn in the side of Cameroon’s 35-year-old government. Fresh out of jail, and something of an exile these days, the professor gives Ngum Ngafor a lecture on how his country must change. Hello Prof Nganang and thank you for agreeing to speak to The Village Square Journal. Our country has been in a political deadlock for almost two years now. Some argue that it is essentially a governance problem. What are…

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CONVERSATION: SQUARING UP TO THE TEMZ REVIEW
February 10, 2018
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| INTERVIEWS

      Aaron Schneider & Amy Mitchell are founding editors of The Temz Review.  Living in London, Ontario, Canada, they have published great literary works including our founding editor, Obinna Udenwe’s story ‘All Good Things Come to an End.’ The Village Square’s editors Obinna Udenwe and Ngum Ngafor take notes from Amy & Aaron on how to run a cool lit space. The Village Square: Tell us, what motivated you to start The Temz Review? The Temz Review:…

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