Literature
The fact that Chinyere Obi-Obasi, a graduate of English Language/Literature and Law, is a writer of no mean repute has just been confirmed by her book, The Great Fall, being shortlisted for the 2011 Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, Prize for Literature. She speaks to Sumaila Umaisha about it.
Let?s begin with your brief biography.
I am a graduate of English Language/Literature and Law. Was called to the Nigerian bar in 1993. Practised law for seven years before joining the bank. I spent the last five years of the practice with Tayo Oyetibo & Co. I currently work with UnityBank Plc and is married with 5 children; four girls and one boy.
How did your writing career begin?
I read a lot from childhood. I did some writing in secondary school, did more in my first degree while reading English Language then I did a lot more while reading Law which saw me finish a manuscript and send it off to a publisher. It was neither acknowledged nor published. I did not do any writing in Law School or during law practice. I started again when I began to work in the bank.
You seem to specialize in children?s literature; why?
Not exactly, having five children, I am at home with kids and can relate to their needs. I have done a lot of short stories. I recall my short stories can be found in these anthologies; Camouflage and Eko O nibaje. I have published short stories in ThisDay newspaper and read my stories at many literary fora. I am currently working on an adult book I titled ?The Birth Mark?. I am also writing a talent management book and a motivational book.
How did you receive the news of your being among the 2011 NLNG Prize shortlist?
I got a call from Mr. Ahmed Maiwada about 7.30pm on Friday 22nd July, 2011.
How does it feel?
I feel ecstatic, humbled and grateful to the Almighty God who saw the many lonely nights I had to work long and hard and crowned my efforts with success.
What do you think were the qualities that made the judges select the work?
The judges mentioned certain criteria that guided them. I guess they believed my book met all those criteria. I particularly agree with the editing part and the fact that everyone can enjoy it. I am grateful to Ejah Sule, Maiwada, Ben Ubiri, Spencer Okoroafor, Dr Rex and my publishers who at one time or the other made very useful suggestions.
Of course, you are hopeful that you will make it; what gives you this hope?
The prize is open because if you say six books from 126 then each of the books is a potential winner. My hope is built on God and nothing else.
How do you visualize your life after winning the prize?
I see a more vibrant writer who will intensify effort having set this kind of standard.
What is your writing schedule like?
Because I have a large family of one husband and five children and work in the bank, I spend all my time trying to balance correctly so that none will suffer. I write mostly from 2am till dawn.
(c) Interviewed by Sumaila Umaisha and published in the New nigerian of 14th August, 2011.
- A Novel Takes Its Author To Wherever It Wants ? E. E. Sule
E. E. Sule, Associate Professor of English at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, is no stranger to award winning, having won awards in literary competitions sponsored by Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, and shortlisted for the prestigious...
- My Experience In The 2011 Nlng Literature Prize Competition - Obi-obasie
Chinyere Obi-Obasie, a runner up in the 2011 Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Literature Competition, narrates her experience Life throws things your way to make you stronger and to get you better equipped for the future. I arrived at this...
- Nlng Prize Controversy: It Was The Judges? Decision Not Ours
Professor Ben Elugbe of the Department of Linguistic and African Languages, University of Ibadan, who is the president of Nigerian Academy of Letters, NAL, and West African Linguistic Society, WALS, speaks to SUMAILA UMAISHA on the 2009 NLNG Prize controversy...
- I Feel At The Top Of The World!
ISAAC ATTAH OGEZI, legal practitioner, playwright, short story writer and literary essayist, based in Keffi, Nasarawa State, is a consistent literary prizes winner . In addition to his numerous prizes, his play, Waiting for Savon, has just won this year?s...
- The Job Of A Literary Journalist Is A Nightmare
BENJAMIN UBIRI, literary editor of the Abuja-based Newspage newspaper, and winner of the 2009 edition of Literary Journalist of the Year, awarded by the Association of Nigerian Authors, speaks to SUMAILA UMAISHA on his experience on the beat and more....
Literature
NLNG Prize Shortlist: I feel ecstatic! - Obi-Obasi
The fact that Chinyere Obi-Obasi, a graduate of English Language/Literature and Law, is a writer of no mean repute has just been confirmed by her book, The Great Fall, being shortlisted for the 2011 Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, Prize for Literature. She speaks to Sumaila Umaisha about it.
Let?s begin with your brief biography.
I am a graduate of English Language/Literature and Law. Was called to the Nigerian bar in 1993. Practised law for seven years before joining the bank. I spent the last five years of the practice with Tayo Oyetibo & Co. I currently work with UnityBank Plc and is married with 5 children; four girls and one boy.
How did your writing career begin?
I read a lot from childhood. I did some writing in secondary school, did more in my first degree while reading English Language then I did a lot more while reading Law which saw me finish a manuscript and send it off to a publisher. It was neither acknowledged nor published. I did not do any writing in Law School or during law practice. I started again when I began to work in the bank.
You seem to specialize in children?s literature; why?
Not exactly, having five children, I am at home with kids and can relate to their needs. I have done a lot of short stories. I recall my short stories can be found in these anthologies; Camouflage and Eko O nibaje. I have published short stories in ThisDay newspaper and read my stories at many literary fora. I am currently working on an adult book I titled ?The Birth Mark?. I am also writing a talent management book and a motivational book.
How did you receive the news of your being among the 2011 NLNG Prize shortlist?
I got a call from Mr. Ahmed Maiwada about 7.30pm on Friday 22nd July, 2011.
How does it feel?
I feel ecstatic, humbled and grateful to the Almighty God who saw the many lonely nights I had to work long and hard and crowned my efforts with success.
What do you think were the qualities that made the judges select the work?
The judges mentioned certain criteria that guided them. I guess they believed my book met all those criteria. I particularly agree with the editing part and the fact that everyone can enjoy it. I am grateful to Ejah Sule, Maiwada, Ben Ubiri, Spencer Okoroafor, Dr Rex and my publishers who at one time or the other made very useful suggestions.
Of course, you are hopeful that you will make it; what gives you this hope?
The prize is open because if you say six books from 126 then each of the books is a potential winner. My hope is built on God and nothing else.
How do you visualize your life after winning the prize?
I see a more vibrant writer who will intensify effort having set this kind of standard.
What is your writing schedule like?
Because I have a large family of one husband and five children and work in the bank, I spend all my time trying to balance correctly so that none will suffer. I write mostly from 2am till dawn.
(c) Interviewed by Sumaila Umaisha and published in the New nigerian of 14th August, 2011.
- A Novel Takes Its Author To Wherever It Wants ? E. E. Sule
E. E. Sule, Associate Professor of English at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, is no stranger to award winning, having won awards in literary competitions sponsored by Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, and shortlisted for the prestigious...
- My Experience In The 2011 Nlng Literature Prize Competition - Obi-obasie
Chinyere Obi-Obasie, a runner up in the 2011 Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Literature Competition, narrates her experience Life throws things your way to make you stronger and to get you better equipped for the future. I arrived at this...
- Nlng Prize Controversy: It Was The Judges? Decision Not Ours
Professor Ben Elugbe of the Department of Linguistic and African Languages, University of Ibadan, who is the president of Nigerian Academy of Letters, NAL, and West African Linguistic Society, WALS, speaks to SUMAILA UMAISHA on the 2009 NLNG Prize controversy...
- I Feel At The Top Of The World!
ISAAC ATTAH OGEZI, legal practitioner, playwright, short story writer and literary essayist, based in Keffi, Nasarawa State, is a consistent literary prizes winner . In addition to his numerous prizes, his play, Waiting for Savon, has just won this year?s...
- The Job Of A Literary Journalist Is A Nightmare
BENJAMIN UBIRI, literary editor of the Abuja-based Newspage newspaper, and winner of the 2009 edition of Literary Journalist of the Year, awarded by the Association of Nigerian Authors, speaks to SUMAILA UMAISHA on his experience on the beat and more....