Old age can’t
stop me from writing –Pa Gabriel Okara
By SEGUN AJAYI
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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•Pa
Okara
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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At 87, and after putting-in seven decades into creative writing,
one of the father-figures of modern Nigerian poetry, Gabriel
Imomotimi Okara is still raring to go. Exuding energy and
zest, even where younger writers are found wanting, the octogenarian
recently declared he will continue to write until he breathes
his last.
Reputed to be the first major Nigerian poet to write in modern
style, Okara who is also famous for his two poems- Fisherman’s
Invocation and The call of the River Nun. In terms of thematic
pre-occupation, Okara’s writings dwell on the conflict
between indigenous and foreign cultures, as well as the tribulations
of nation-building.
He also promised to devote ample time to children’s
literature and organising workshops for budding writers. Is
this a paradigm shift in his direction, or a legacy to bequeath
to on-coming generations? The award-winning author reacted
to this poser, and spoke on his writings, challenges, and
what still keeps him going at his ripe age.
Background
I was born in Bomadi, now Bayelsa State in 1921. I attended
Government College, Umuahia after which I worked in Lagos.
After the Second World War, in the 1940s, I joined the vibrant
Nigerian press which happened to be a veritable tool for nationalists
in the fight for Nigeria’s independence.
During the Nigerian civil war, I was the Head of Information
Services for the defunct Biafran Republic. After the war,
I took over the management of the Rivers State Broadcasting
Corporation, and later Nigerian Tide, published by Rivers
State. I did that until I retired from public service in 1975.
The former Rivers State government later appointed me writer-in-residence,
in the state’s Ministry of Arts and Culture. Since then,
I have been writing actively.
Works
The Fisherman’s Invocation, won the prestigious Commonwealth
Literary Prize in 1951. The Voice, a novel was published in
1978. I also published children books: Little Snake and Little
Frog (1981) and Adventure to Juju Island (1981). My latest
work, His Dreamer, His Vision won the 2005 NLNG Prize for
Literature in 2005.
After NLNG Prize
Nothing really has been published since then. You know that
I have been writing children books as well. I have published
one. I have also published alongside the prize- winning collection
of poems, another prose work. It is a collection of my articles
for two years, published in Nigerian Tide.
My effort in developing young writers have taken more of my
time. Many of them bring their works to me for appraisal and
advice. I would have published a script which I completed
last year, but I could not do that because of my programme
for young writers. I hope that by this year, I would have
one or two novels published.
Inspiration
It’s just like asking me what makes me eat. I like to
write because of my hunger for writing and the absolute desire
for the written word.
When I started
Oh! Probably before your father was born. Well I started writing
in the 1940s. I want to trace it to my days as a student of
Government College, Umuahia. Owing to our exposure to the
arts, we read many established writers and we were required
to write reports on what we read.
Niger-Delta inspires me
Generally, yes! I was born in a village at the bank of the
River Nun. We bathe; we fish and did everything in the water,
including swimming competitions. Also, the rains and harvest
times; the ebbs and flow of the river; the flooding, all contributed
to the influences.
Challenges
All those experiences about River Nun has changed with the
oil-explorations. The entire picture has changed. Oil spillage
has destroyed the land and the acquatic life. All these have
changed the situation from what it was when I started writing.
The challenge now is how to write about what has changed and
what is happening. I’m glad that young writers from
the riverine areas are already doing that.
Upcoming writers, and passion
I’ve found out that younger writers are impatient. They
are in a hurry to get published. Some of them approach me
with their manuscripts and the next favour they would request
from me is that I should recommend them to a publisher. Even
established writers, sometimes find it difficult to get their
works published, how much less someone who is unknown. My
advice to them is that they should be patient, continue to
write and read established writers. Like the saying that practice
makes perfect, if budding writers keep writing, they will
hone their skills and develop their styles. And style is what
distinguishes you from others. So, I’ll always advise
young writers to be patient.
Quality of works
As a result of the anxiety to get published, many young writers
turn out sub-standard works. When they perfect their skills,
they won’t be running after publishers. But because
of their impatience, they want to become authors and make
quick money. If it’s because I want to make money, I
won’t be writing. Money may come into writing through
other avenues, other than book sales, but in our days, it
was not like that. We wrote because of the passion for writing.
For example, when I heard that my first short story was read
on NBC, Enugu, I jumped up and danced. Later, I was presented
with a cheque of 10 pounds. If you’re going into writing
because of money, you may be disappointed. But poor cash returns
will not discourage a genuine writer.
Children literature
I’ve always expressed interest in children books. When
I was a child at the village school, we learnt songs that
got us assimilated into other cultures. But genuine writers
should reflect cultures, which catapulted them into writing.
So, when I write for children, I tell stories based on our
culture. I’ve written about four children stories. Heinemann
Publishers, Ibadan is publishing two. The other one, Little
Snake and Little Frog, was re-printed twice in 2006. The book
is popular because of the cultural materials featured in it.
Audience response/Impact
You would be surprised to know that an average Niger-Deltan
loves writing. My effort at helping young talents was inspired
by that. Very soon, I will embark on a writers’ workshop
with emphasis on practical aspects of writing.
Legacy for upcoming writers
The legacy is already in my poetry. People already see me
as a role model.
Another shot at NLNG prize, 2007
That is literature. I only wanted to use it to assess my writings
for children. I don’t think there should be a barrier
hindering you from entering for the same prize in another
year, just because you entered in the previous year. I know
that some people may be wondering why I didn’t leave
the prize for younger people. I believe the so-called younger
writers must learn from the established ones.
Sourcing materials
I source them through life’s experiences. You see, your
daily experience will later coalesce into a literary work.
When I write
I am a night worker. Does age stop you from eating? In the
same manner is writing.
Driving force
That takes me to religion. Well, I am a Christian Scientist.
I belong to the Church of Christ Scientist. And we do practical
application of the creation story in the first chapter of
Genesis in the Bible. Man was created in the image of God.
When you see that image in the mirror, that image cannot act
independent of you. If you don’t shake, the image in
the mirror will not shake also. Likewise, if the person before
the mirror does not die, the image in the mirror will not
die.
We are God’s image and his likeness, so it is the spirit
of God that we reflect in the mirror. If God does not fall
sick, you also cannot fall sick. If He is ageless, you also
cannot grow old. Going by the belief that the image cannot
be separated from the original, you are following God all
the time. So, God cannot separate Himself from you. That is
the secret of my strength at 87.
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