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Showing posts from August, 2023

The Problem sometimes is not Absence but Visibility —an Interview with Uchenna Emelife

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When we talk about literature and the arts, there are those whose journeys inspire achievements. This month, I had the privilege of sitting down with Uchenna Emelife, a figure whose path through the world of words and creativity is nothing short of enthralling. As we delved into his story, pivotal moments, diverse roles, and unwavering passion began to unravel. From the motivation to celebrate the arts, to the change he's been pioneering on local and international levels, we had an amazing time discussing the perks that come with being a literary promoter as a young creative in Nigeria. The authenticity of things can, most times, be traced to how they began. While we love those "I-can't-believe-this" moments, we are also aware that building something worthwhile takes a lot of metaphorical and literal time —even the love for literature. My interview with Uchenna began by attempting to pin down a pivotal moment when his love for the arts was fueled. Perhaps, as a studen

Inside Sokoto: an evening with a Curator and Literary Enthusiast.

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Uchenna Emelife is a graduate of Literature in English, from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. He is an arts curator, administrator, and a bookseller. He is the founder and director of Book O’Clock — a literary organisation that hosts a literary blog, book clubs, and a bookstore. He co-curated the first Book and Arts Festival in Sokoto in 2021 and 2022 and was nominated as Mediapreneur of the Year in the Founder of the Year Awards. In 2022, he was selected to attend the maiden Sharjah International Booksellers Conference in UAE and was shortlisted for the Ashoka Africa Changemaker Prize. In 2023, he was listed by Vanguard Press as one of the top 20 influential graduates of UDUS and was awarded the best graduating student of Literature in English. He has been featured in several book and literary festivals, including the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival, Kwara Book and Arts Festival, Abuja Literary Festival, and HIASFEST. In addition, he curates conversations and special projects fo