Wednesday 26 November 2014

EVANS on People!


It’s the PEOPLE Conversation with Evans Ufeli a Lagos based writer and lawyer. He was born in Port Hacourt, grew up in Lagos, Studied Law at the University of Jos. He is a speech analyst and a polymath but he is best described as the 'seeker of the unknown' Enjoy every bit of it.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: How do you view success?

Evans: Success means different things to different people. Success is highly perceptional and such perception is often shaped by trend and times. What represents success today may differ from what it was in the days of yore. For instance, in the era of conquest, success was measured by the wielding of sword, conquering of cities/states and the defence of one’s city against invaders. Hence Hector of Troy remains a successful citizen for defending his people against invaders and the ultimate sacrifice of his life for the honour of his city. To me, success is relative. It is simply fulfillment of one’s desired objective in life. That's not all there is to success. There are personal success and impersonal success.
Bura-Bari Nwilo: Have you ever dealt with failure?
Eavns: I have dealt with failure a great deal. Each one comes with its peculiar nut and difficulties. Failure is a moment of self discovery as circumstances pushes you to fall on the arms of nothingness. It is that period that life exposes to you to the point you get to understand that your friends are humans, susceptible to all sort of schemes and helplessness. In times of failure, stand firm, push on and life will respect your dogged approach and work its miracles.
Bura-Bari Nwilo: What makes you super happy?
Evans: What makes me super happy is life itself. The intrigue speculation and wonderment, the fact that at some point we are all children of a retired God. Again, that death may call at any time. Life's old. Life's not fair as it gives you this impression that doing right is a waste of time.
Bura-Bari Nwilo: What would you have changed about your past?
Evans: The past is gone. I wish I were not delayed admission into the university to study Law. I think I will have achieved more intellectually even though I know that that the gap between learning and doing is wider than the gap between ignorance and knowledge
Bura-Bari Nwilo: Tool with which to fix the world?
Evans: The only tool I will need to fix this life is knowledge. Knowledge is the universal property of mankind.


Thursday 20 November 2014

Willie Amachree on PEOPLE


Willie Amachree is from Rivers State, Nigeria. He is a medically inclined yet drawn to any good piece of art. We had a conversation for PEOPLE.

·        Bura-Bari Nwilo: How do you view success?

Willie Amachree: I'm honoured to be chosen for this interview. You’re the second person after my dad to make me know how much interesting anything can sound if written by a talented writer. Your FB posts ‘re one of the few I love reading on my timeline, so please don't stop. Coming back to your question, I view success as being happy in one's chosen career, excelling in it and making loads of money of course.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Have you ever dealt with failure?

Willie Amachree: Oh, yes I have. I believe everyone have dealt with one in their own little ways. That's how we learn and mature in life. Few months back I went for an interview and performed below my standards. And believe me it doesn't feel good even though I've learnt from that experience. It still pricks me till now.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What makes you super happy?

Willie Amachree: Everyone has what makes them happy. Strangely, for me happiness makes me happy. Seeing people I love and care about being happy, just takes me to a different level of happiness. I'm a people pleaser and that's where I get my ‘high’ from..lol but of course I'll have to be okay with myself first.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: How do you define beauty?

Willie Amachree: Good question. Mmm how do I define beauty? I'll say beauty is what you see in a person or in anything, that makes you appreciate whoever created them. I believe that's why people appreciate things differently. Not seeing the beauty in something is all due to your perspective and not the object itself. There is beauty in everything, you just need to have the eye to find it

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Tool with which to fix the world?

Willie Amachree: The tool I'll need most is money, money and more money. Like I said earlier, I like to see people happy and my number one goal in life is to stop poverty or at least reduce it in my environment. And to do that I need loads of money...people will always say do the little you can with what you have but that's not enough for me. I need to stop the little orphans, the family of 10 living in one tiny room with leaky roof, the poor widow left with 5 kids to cater for, with no hope in sight, from going through their ordeal alone. I just need to touch as much people as I can positively. And that tool alone can let me do that. Seeing hardship and hopelessness in peoples' eyes makes me cry.


Tuesday 18 November 2014

Adunni on PEOPLE


Today on PEOPLE, I had a conversation with one of Nigeria’s fairest writers. This is not in terms of complexion, as the reverse is the case. Triple A is outspoken and addresses governmental excesses in her writings and updates. She is an author and a PhD student, that’s if my memory still hasn’t failed me. She is a crush to a lot of us, younger dreamers. Meet Adelakun Adunni Abimbola.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: How do you view success?

AAA: There was a time I would have viewed success as having certain material goods and maybe even the regular accomplishments: getting a degree, a good job and all that. Now I see success as being able to live on your own terms and being respected for it; not having to explain your choices to anyone or apologize for anything.
The definition of success is very personal and for me, it is about doing things that make you happy. Whatever that is, so long as you can do it, consider yourself a success.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Have you ever dealt with failure?

AAA: I deal with it daily. My failures come in different sizes and shapes. Some might seem small and insignificant but they are large enough to crush my spirit. But then, I have also learned that failing does not make you a failure.
It might sound cliché but I learn from my failures too. Yes, that makes it worthwhile. Sometimes also, failure has nothing to teach you other than the odds were simply not in your favor.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What makes you super happy?

AAA: Traveling. Reading. Writing. Watching movies. Teasing my partner. Making mischief. Helping someone. Taking long isolated walks. Being left alone.
The things that bring me happiness, I must confess, are pretty mundane

Bura-Bari Nwilo: If you could make one wish, what would it be?

AAA: That all of us would just do the right thing. Or do the right thing by our neighbours.
It will reduce the need intensity with which we pray to God.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: If you wanted a tool to fix this world, what kind would it be?

AAA: Frankly, to fix the world would require a whole toolbox. There are times I would need a hammer to just drill some things in (or smash everything!) and there are times that only a spanner would suffice. So, yes, give me the whole collection.

Monday 17 November 2014

David Hymar on PEOPLE!


David Hymar is from Warri, Delta State. He is a student of the University of Benin. He is a writer. He loves Chimamanda. Aside writing, that’s one thing we share in common. But he has met her and I have met Chika Unigwe and Ukamaka. I think I win. Enjoy our conversation on PEOPLE!

Bura-Bari Nwilo: How do you view success?

Hymar David: Success implies I am living my dreams irrespective of the material gains. Success for me is not about arriving but consistently achieving. Arrivrers are the most static people I know.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Have you ever dealt with failure?

Hymar David: Lots of times. People expect so much from you: family, friends, loved ones. And then you fail. You feel like a letdown. I don't deal with failure particularly well. I sometimes make the same mistakes over and over

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What makes you super happy?
Hymar David: It is more a question of WHO. There are a lot of really amazing people in my life right now. Most of them are from Facebook (in person I don't make too many friends. Shy much). Things don't make me happy. If you gave me a million dollars, it wouldn't necessarily bring me happiness. For instance, what if you struck me with your car (olorun maje o) and I lost my arms and my sight. How am I gonna write now? Will one million dollars compete with that? Will I take your one million dollars and start screaming with happiness? Nope.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: If you wanted a tool to fix this world, what kind would it be?

Hymar David: My pen of course. There is no stronger voodoo than a biro. I believe God looked one day at all He made and said 'this is good but it could be better' so He gave the world the gift of writers.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: If you could make one wish, what would it be?

Hymar David: Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to turn back the time to when I was seven and grow up 'normal'. You know, without a disability and stuff like that.


The Politics of “Likes” on Facebook

The Politics of “Likes” on Facebook

There’s nothing more political than Facebook “likes.” Truth. If you haven’t taken it seriously then you haven’t been very active or you probably are a recluse. Everyone likes to be liked. Imagine President Jonathan making an announcement using his Facebook account and no one clicks the “like” button for a week or two. He’d know that there is some serious trouble. What I currently know is that you can’t generate “Likes” on Facebook like you can generate followership on Twitter. When you are not liked on Facebook, it may mean that you are socially unnoticed or attention has shifted from you. Ignoring to use the “Like” button could be detrimental.


Let’s take a case where your girlfriend visited a mall. She obviously went window-shopping and used her camera to capture moments. What she expects you to do is to click the like button and say all manner of things about how she is becoming a superstar. She knows it is mere words but it helps her psychology. Same applies to anyone who shares an image with you or anyone who tags you in a post. “Likes” are more serious than any other button of Facebook. I’m sure the management of the social media platform knows about this. I am seriously praying they do not bring a thumbs’ down button. A lot of people will commit suicide.

No one wants to be rejected. If a lady just broke free from her marriage, it is on Facebook that she would announce her latest status and expects to be liked. She would share bathroom, poolside and kitchen photos. It is necessary. She wants to share her world with you and win your approval. “Likes” are joyous when they come in large numbers. hey can spark a smile on the most rumpled face and cause an introvert to feel sexy and accepted.

A sad side of “like” is that people use it wrongly. You post about a tragic incident and how you’d need a hand and then you get ‘likes’ and not assistance. You talk about the death of a loved one and some morons would click the like button. That could really be sad. I guess there should be some instructions when you are getting to use the social media. But people don’t read manuals. I don’t know anyone who does. We figure things out ourselves. But using the Like Button is one that is yet to be fully understood. This is not a lecture on it and won’t become one.

I don’t joke with “likes”. I just try to disassociate my emotions from it. If you don’t you would find yourself in a mess. A large number of likes may also blind you. The likes you get do not correct your bad grammar. It just makes it obvious that people saw your post and whether they read it or not, they saw the headline.

I click ‘like’ when I am pressured to do so, without reading a thing. There’s so much to read on Facebook. If a girl who you had always wanted to call her attention doesn’t seem to have your time and she has about a thousand photos, click the like on all of them and she would notice you. You would be tagged a stalker but then it earns you a mark, you are noticed.

You are likely to make more solid friendships with “comments” than “likes”. In short, drop your clothes and you would be liked more. This “like” button may just be a sign of what our world is becoming. Attention is needed. It should be given.  

I like things and when I sneeze and get a million likes, I feel overwhelmed and when I walk out of the toilet, it is an awesome man who updates his status again. It is the reason why people visit photo studios, buy new shoes, fix new hair styles and take fake vacation trips. It is the reason why friends are made, and how people become celebrities. A Facebook ‘like’ is like getting the approval of the world. When you have a photo with pretty or not so pretty legs, it is the likes that give you the encouragement or not to continue or discontinue. But no matter how hard you work, a woman, whether finer or not, would always get the highest likes on anything she posts, her shit or peace.  The social media is built like that. I wish to beg the administrators to make the “likes” translate into money and I shall begin to consider it intensely.

To keep up with using the Like button is one of the major things you have to learn. Kissing asses have never been defined until the Like button was created. I guess life was more fun then.

When people see your page and before they consider you important or not, the likes on your images must grow over 200 hundred. If you have about a thousand, it means you are a celebrity – a porn star or a Nollywood star. Writers may get that but I think only Ms Adichie has the highest among writers. She is beautiful and her smiles are awesome. I like anything that’s posted on her page. I am like that. 

To use the Facebook’s Like button appropriately is to be inducted into the clique of friends. Facebook writers have cliques. When a member of group makes a post, it is the duty of the members to click at it and generate as much buzz. If you were promoting a book and asked a member of a ‘rival’ group for a “share” or “like” it may not come. It is like that. It is like a political party.

If you are a writer and you have paid your dues; reading and writing, for you to get certain people to click like on your post, you must have earned it with blood. But some people have great offices. When a Caine Prize winner or a Pulitzer Prize winner likes your page, it means you are doing well. In short, that’s a sign of stardom. In your biography it could read like: “Nwilo’s post has been liked by everyone, especially the high and mighty in the society. From Caine Prize Winner, Rotimi Babatunde to Wole Soyinka.” Quite a lot of people would treat you with honour, trust me.


It is crazy but a lot of people are stingy with their “likes.” It is like giving you an approval to live or die and often they prefer the latter. Enjoy your time on Facebook and use the “like” button wisely. Life’s short.


Bura-Bari Nwilo is the author of Diary of a Stupid Boyfriend. 

Eti on PEOPLE!


Eti Davis is originally from Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. She has been in the United States as a worker and student. She is a psychologist. She currently works with behavioural children. We had a conversation for PEOPLE. Enjoy it. 

Bura-Bari Nwilo:  What has been your greatest challenge?
Eti: Life throws so many loops and bends at us, and this has made my life quite interesting. Without the humps in life, I probably wouldn't appreciate the beauty of life. Discouragement, I sometimes embrace them as opportunities to excel higher. Fear of Losing People and things That are Dear to my Heart. At the back of my Mind I still have it stored somewhere though that when there's Loss, I Must keep Going and hoping for the best.
Bura-Bari Nwilo: Have you ever dealt with failure?
I call my failures (Success Stories). Man pikin haf suffered in this life but they give me strength to keep climbing on to those Jacob's ladder. When I arrived in America some years ago, I was so excited to start school, after years of JAMB failures. I registered for school here as a JJC (Johnny Just come) with the help of a friend I met, I had no fax machines, money, and of course I had to rely on those who understood the system more than I did to help me. I was anticipating to start school soonest. Great feeling of course, but after three weeks, no response, no mail, I was sad, at least a confirmation that my documents were received never came through. Rather, my friend came and showed me her letter of admission, and I asked: oh! No news for me? She told me keep to waiting that they'd reply me.
No be goat born me oh (As a Nigerian, my understanding of you keep waiting was different o, I had to get my butt up and hustle my thing alone o) after all, I grew up in a country that I had to take care of my responsibilities at a younger age. I didn't have to rely on people. We are just naturally built that way. I was not one Ajebutter or else, I would have still been waiting for my admission letter till years later, believing it was sent in.
I was distraught, just for the fact that we did it together and this was one of the very important things in my life. How come no news? Oh, probably she never faxed my papers. The thoughts came cycling in my brain all night. The following day I walked into a college closer to my house, I applied, got accepted with full scholarship. I graduated as a psychologist, and now pursuing my second degree as an Applied Behavior Board Certified Analyst. I don't like using bad English, "But Life Ain't Easy, I just Gone wit ma badd self. I don't care or give a hoot what people Think." I've endured enough and it's made me stronger.
Bura-Bari Nwilo: What makes you super happy?
Eti: 1. Being Loved 2. Music 3. Playing Musical instruments (all kinds, especially bongos). 4. A listening ear (even when I have stupid and irrelevant things to say) 5. A shoulder to lean on when I droop! 6. Hugs makes me so happy too. 7. Hanging out with wonderful friends. 8. I Love attention Like small pikin o (na so).
Bura-Bari Nwilo: What is the one thing that you would have changed about your past?
Eti: I would have loved to go back and set out a well planned, organized life for the future (that can never happen). I am here in the present now. I'm always trying to make the most out of it. I want to live by my own rules and in the present. I want to do whatever I can to make myself and the people around me happy. I have been taken advantage of, abused, my kind heart, and left broken without a care. I have Not given up my dreams to support those around me and help them achieve theirs. These are my goals.
Bura-Bari Nwilo: If you wanted a tool to fix this world, what kind would it be?
Eti: I need so many Tools Bura, biko, only one? You are stingy o
The heart to give to so many people and to love genuinely. People just go through so much Hell to make it, and others just keep squishing on them, instead of supporting. Money- The ability to end world Hunger


Sunday 16 November 2014

PEOPLE conversation with Bugzy Dvinci!


Bugzy Dvinci is an artist. He is currently in Lagos, Nigeria. We had a conversation on PEOPLE!

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What’s your view of success?

Bugzy: Success is when you have the magic to put money in your account and turn your mere imaginations to the physical.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Have you dealt with failure before?
Bugzy: Yes, I have failed a lot, my friend, plenty times.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What makes you super happy?
Bugzy: Beer, good food, Indomie Noodles, Akpu, Okpa, Onyeka Nwelue & some few good friends who have their heads on their shoulders, Money makes me happy man, Abum onye Igbo

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Would you want to change anything about your past?  
Bugzy: Nothing to be changed about my past. Everything work as e work so i go sabi something.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Tools for fixing the world?
Bugzy:  Music, Poetry, Arts & films...Comedy.


Lucy Peters on PEOPLE!


Lucy Peters is in love with music. She’s returned to Nigeria after several years in the US to embrace her passion. She is optimistic that Nigeria, the terrain and people would inspire better songs. When she isn’t singing, she is a make-up artist. We had a conversation on PEOPLE!

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Greatest Challenge?

Lucy: My greatest challenge so far has to be getting past my shyness, (that's a word right?). I've been procrastinating on doing a couple of things cos I'm shy. I’m working on it though.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What is the one thing you would have changed about your past?

Lucy: I don't think I would have changed anything about my past. I had to go through what I went through to be the person I am today. I have a story to tell my kids.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: When all is down, what is the one thing that gets you going again?

Lucy: Music/singing. That's my therapy; it gets me out of my funk. It heals my soul. I could go on and on about what music does to me, but I'm not gonna bore you with all that .

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What 5 names do you consider priceless?  

Lucy: All my siblings, Senior, Danne, Manny, and my Vicimoro! They have my heart, wouldn't trade them for anything. The 5th person obviously is my dad, I love that man. I can't imagine life without these 5 people.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: If you wanted a tool to fix the world, what would it be?


Lucy: Hmm if I wanted a tool to fix the world...... I would use a..... Still thinking oo, hold on. I would use an eraser, (shebi that qualifies as a tool?). I would erase the annoying people in the world. See I'm nice, I could've said a gun abi?

Saturday 15 November 2014

Prince Adewale Oreshade on People!


The second guest on People! Is a young father, mature poet and lawyer based in New York. He has a lot to say and needs your attention. Prince Adewale Oreshade has a passion for the arts. His website is: ( www.princeadewaleoreshade.com)
Bura-Bari Nwilo: What has been your greatest challenge?


Adewale:  My greatest challenge has been how to get people to read. I believe, firmly so, that the difference between ourselves as humans is that of those that know, and those that don't know. It's not our race, religion or gender; It's how much we know.


The poor can't afford to buy books, that means that they can't know how much they should know as members of the human race. This makes me sad, and I really wish I can do more than I'm doing to close the gap between those that can afford to study, and those that can't.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What is the one thing that you would have changed about your past?

Adewale: I won't have delayed studying Law for Oracle, I would have just gone in to study Law right after Secondary School. That way, I would have published more books, and essays by now.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: When all is down, what is the one thing that gets you up again?

Adewale: Except from God, Wife, and Family; I think it's Music. Hehehe. People either don't understand the power that good music has, or they just don't want to acknowledge it. Good music can transform me in seconds.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: What 5 names of siblings or relations do you consider priceless to your living?

Adewale:

1. My Parents
2. My Wife
3. My Child
4. My Siblings
5. My Friends 

Bura-Bari Nwilo: If you wanted a tool to fix this world, what kind would it be?


Adewale: Get me a Pen

Friday 14 November 2014

Nkiru Njoku on People!


People! Is a project that would have me interview my friends on social media. I may not edit the interviews. And I won’t promise that it would be awesome but it will definitely be humane. Enjoy!

My first guest is NKIRU NJOKU, writer, actress and mother. She is a beautiful woman with stories. Pay attention to what she offers.

Bura-Bari Nwilo: So what do you consider greatest?

Nk'iru. Njoku: In terms of??

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Life in general

https://m-static.ak.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gifNk'iru. Njoku: Hmmmm
Very difficult question
Love is good
Health is important
Money is important
It's not easy to have a 'greatest' thing
Very hard question
Hard

Bura-Bari Nwilo: Okay. So let's say you are to change the world, what work tool would you prefer and why?

Nk'iru. Njoku: Ego is easily the biggest problem of the world. I would balance out everyone's ego. People need to take offense a lot less about EVERYTHING - religion, sexuality, etc and this is a very simplistic list. What work took would I use? Magic, my dear. That's the only way this can happen. And we all know this is impossible so there goes my fantasy...

Bura-Bari Nwilo: hahaha. nice. I need your magic too.
Okay. Your most recent sensation is your daughter. From your updates, she has been a redefinition of motherhood. Why did you pick particular interest in documenting the time you two spend together?

Nk'iru. Njoku: Because of our pretty backward mentality in Nigeria (I am sorry to say this though), kids with reduced abilities or outright disabilities are not considered 'proper' human beings. I thought it was time to shift our thinking so I decided to document my journey with her. If more mothers with special-needs babies made a lot of noise then perhaps policies will be put in place to acknowledge the humanity of people with special needs and underline their importance to society. In my daughter's case, blindness is simply an inconvenience - her humanity is intact, her individuality is obvious. And she's a few days short of a year old. This is because of how we view her and treat her. I wanted to stir the still waters of our mentality and I dare say some people are taking notice.

Bura-Bari Nwilo:
Oh. Wow. That's so great and I commend your effort.
If you were to close your eyes, who is that trusted person that you would allow to ferry you across turbulence?

Nk'iru. Njoku:
My partner. He's like the older, smarter, more experienced male version of me. My trust in him is 'a hundred and more' percent.

Bura-Bari Nwilo
That's sweet.
If you died and returned to earth, where would you prefer as birth place?
Hahahahahahaha
Vincent biko stop tempting me to deny my country

Bura-Bari Nwilo
hahaha. Am I?

Nk'iru. Njoku: Birth place isn't a determining factor of anything. Where you live, what passport you have (which isn't always due to being born in said place) is what counts, isn't it? I would still not mind being born in Nigeria to be honest, based on my analysis.
Plus some people are born in the 'best' countries in the world, they grew up in those countries, live there, work there and are still 'suffering'. Birth place is no issue jare.