Featured Guests

 Below you will find a list of guests who have been featured on Naija in the Mix, along with a summary of our discussion.

UCHENNA EMELIFE (Sokoto, August, 2023)

Uchenna Emelife

Uchenna Emelife, a graduate of Literature in English from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, is a literary curator, administrator, and bookseller. He founded Book O'Clock, an organization that runs a literary blog, book clubs, and a bookstore. Uchenna has co-curated two Book and Arts Festivals in Sokoto (2021, 2022) and was nominated as Mediapreneur of the Year at the Founder of the Year Awards. He attended the Sharjah International Booksellers Conference in the UAE in 2022 and was shortlisted for the Ashoka Africa Changemaker Prize. In 2023, he was recognized as one of UDUS's top 20 influential graduates and named the best graduating student in Literature in English.

My interview with Uchenna is titled, 'The Problem sometimes is not Absence but Visibility.' In this interview, Uchenna speaksabout his journey into the literary world, which began when he read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Purple Hibiscus as a young boy in secondary school. His passion for literature has since blossomed into something greater, leading him to become a bookseller, arts curator, and the founder of the Sokoto Book and Arts Festival (SOBAFest). He also speaks about the joy he finds in amplifying voices that are often silenced and how his work has reached beyond local borders, reaching international audiences. He also reflects on the creative brilliance of African artists who continue to push boundaries. Uchenna also shares his experience of attending the Sharjah International Booksellers Conference and the honour of being nominated for the Ashoka Africa Changemaker Prize. Outside of work, he enjoys unwinding with American sitcoms, but what truly lights him up is his belief in the power of stories to humanise those often left on the margins, as seen in his conversation about queerness with Bryan Okwesili.

Click here to read the full interview.

HALIMA YUSUF BAWAH (Borno, September, 2023)

Halima Yusuf Bawah 

Halima Yusuf Bawah has a background in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maiduguri. She is also a fashion designer, baker, and tech enthusiast. Passionate about climate education, Halima is a climate champion and digital marketing facilitator. Additionally, she is a journalist, HumAngle Media Fellow, Fati Abubakar Art Foundation Fellow, and Paradigm Initiative Fellow. A member of the Attaqwaa Charity Foundation, Halima is driven by a desire to contribute to Nigeria's betterment, a mission she feels personally responsible for, having already made a notable impact.

In 'We Had To Add Sugar to [the] Beans,' Halima Yusuf Bawah, shares her journey through the turmoil of insurgency and how it shaped her mission for peace-building and climate education. She recalls terrifying moments, like hearing constant explosions and witnessing military parades in her neighbourhood, but also speaks of acts of humanity, such as her family's sheltering of a non-Muslim man during the conflict.

Click here to read the full interview.

DETAILMADEIT (Abuja, October, 2023)

DETAILMADEIT

DETAILMADEIT is a Nigerian record label owner, studio owner, video director, producer, songwriter, and recording artist. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business/Management and a Master’s degree in Audio Production. He draws inspiration from his Nigerian roots in Abia State to enrich his music.

In 'Daddy’s Baritone Has Always Been The Best', DETAILMADEIT, shares his musical beginnings influenced by his father’s sonorous voice during family prayers. He explains his creative process, which focuses on letting ideas flow naturally before adding a beat. He credits his academic background in business and audio production for helping him manage his career as both an artist and a label owner. Despite working with artists like Odumodublvck, he expresses no desire for dream collaborations, preferring to let opportunities arise naturally. He stays connected to his roots in Abia State through his music and plans to eventually enter politics to influence arts and entertainment in Nigeria.

Click here to read the full interview.

STEPHEN SUNDAY LA'ABES (Gombe, December, 2023)

Stephen Sunday La'abes

Stephen Sunday La'abes is a seasoned advocate with over four years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He is the Programs Manager at the Philip La'abe Foundation, which focuses on justice, transparency, and meeting basic human needs. Stephen is a Global Goals advocate, an UNLEASH alumni, and has a strong passion for youth development. He is involved with The Lawrence Foundation, addressing drug and alcohol issues, and leads Visionary Network to combat illiteracy among youth. Stephen has also contributed to the Africa Check Fact Ambassadorship Program and writes extensively on global and Nigerian issues.

In this Christmas edition of Naija in the Mix, 'Reuniting with loved ones, trying the best awara in Gombe, and experiencing the vibrant local culture at the Loi Bai market,' Stephen talks about the influence of his family's tradition of community service, and how that has inspired him tp becoming committed to transformative social change and youth development. He passionately supports SDG 4 for quality education, emphasising the need for equitable learning opportunities in rural areas. His advocacy extends to tackling drug and alcohol abuse through comprehensive strategies and promoting critical thinking to combat misinformation. Stephen, who also leads the Visionary Network, shares his nostalgic reflections on growing up in northeastern Nigeria, highlighting the festive spirit of Billiri, Gombe State. He looks forward to the holiday season’s traditions, including reconnecting with loved ones and enjoying local delicacies like awara.

Click here to read the full interview. 

EKUNDAYO FAVOUR JESUTOFUNMI (Lagos, January, 2024)

Ekundayo Favour Jesutofunmi

Ekundayo Favour Jesutofunmi, born on October 20, 2000, in Oko, southwestern Nigeria, is an educator with a deep commitment to shaping young minds. She began her education at Keystone International Schools in Delta State and later moved to Abeokuta, where she completed her primary and secondary education. Favour pursued a degree in Primary Education Studies at the University of Ilorin, further cementing her dedication to pedagogy. Her leadership journey began early, with roles such as Senior Prefect and a member of debating clubs. Over the past four years, she has taught in both primary and secondary schools. During her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in Edo State, she significantly improved students' performance in mathematics using innovative teaching techniques. She also led impactful projects like refurbishing a school library and organising educational events.

In this interview titled '...all I had to say was, 'Pick the beans.' That way, they never disappointed,' Ekundayo Favour Jesutofunmi recounts her journey from an aspiring law student to a passionate educator after an unexpected shift in her academic path led her to study Primary Education. Initially dismayed by the change, Favour’s experience in her first semester sparked a deep affection for teaching, driving her to dedicate herself to building foundational education for children. Her service year in Akoko-edo showcased her innovative teaching methods, such as using the metaphor of separating beans and stones to simplify complex math concepts, which significantly improved her students' understanding. Despite facing challenges like funding shortages, she shares her story of how she successfully refurbished a school library and hosted impactful literacy conferences beefore her winding-up. 

Click here to read the full interview. 

FESTUS and NAOMI NAPHTALI (Taraba, February, 2024)

Naomi (L); Festus (R)

In February 2024, the spotlight is on Taraba State, featuring siblings Festus and Naomi Naphtali. Festus, a Physics graduate from the Federal University Wukari, shares insights into teaching and academic balance, while Naomi, a biochemistry student, discusses her role in the Girls Outreach Program 2024.

In the February 2024 episode titled 'How 2 Siblings are Living Their Dreams – by Helping Others Live Theirs, I take you to Taraba State, my home state, for an interview with Festus and Naomi Naphtali, siblings who are dedicated to community service. This episode looks at the inspiring work of Naomi Naphtali, a final-year Biochemistry student, and her brother Festus, a Physics graduate and teacher. Naomi's commitment to empowering young women through her Girls Outreach Program is highlighted, showing her efforts to distribute sanitary pads and other support despite financial and time challenges. Her outreach, which involved cancelling classes to enable community participation, garnered significant support from her network, including her siblings and friends. Naomi reflects on the gratitude she felt from the young women who benefited from the program and discusses the importance of balancing her academic responsibilities with her outreach work. Her motivation is rooted in her Christian values and the belief that all gifts are meant to be shared. Festus, on the other hand, shares his passion for teaching and his innovative methods for engaging students. He emphasises the importance of creativity, continuous learning, and building strong teacher-student connections to foster a positive learning environment. Festus’s philosophy includes encouraging students to question, collaborate, and appreciate diverse perspectives.

Click here to read the full interview. 

ABDULRAHMAN DALHATU BUKAR (Maiduguri, March, 2024)

Abdulrahman Dalhatu Bukar

Abdulrahman Dalhatu Bukar is the Editor-in-Chief of PharmaPulse, the magazine of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students at the University of Maiduguri.

In '[a] Chat with a Pharmaceutical Journal's E-i-C,' Abdulrahman discusses his role in managing and editing the publication. He shares his passion for reading and writing, which inspired his editorial position, and outlines his goal of transitioning the magazine from a monthly to a weekly publication. He emphasises the importance of credible pharmaceutical content and teamwork in achieving their publishing goals. Abdulrahman also expresses optimism about his future in editorial work, aiming to contribute to both national and international scientific journals.

Click here to read the full interview. 

J.L MAIKAHO (Katsina/Gombe, November, 2024)

J.L Maikaho

J.L is a storyteller, and beyond that, an advocate for exploring the spiritual dimension of creativity. As the founder of Shoshana Global Media, a faith-based literature and entertainment social enterprise, Judith has spent years working on the intersections of mysticism, faith, and the artistic process. Her works have appeared in Brittle Paper, Kalahari Review, Nantygreens, and more, consistently earning recognition for their originality. 

In 'The Market Might not be Big, but it has its Appeal,' J.L. Maikaho discusses her journey integrating spirituality and creativity. Maikaho, founder of Shoshana Global Media, views her writing as a divine calling, likening her creative gift to a Biblical investment that she must honour. Though spirituality sometimes imposes constraints, she believes genuine creativity demands faith, with her works often bridging faith and reason. Writing, for Maikaho, is a form of devotion that helps her balance the demands of a faith-based narrative against a modern literary landscape. She shares that her connection to places like Gombe and Katsina enriches her perspective and empathy and enhances her work's authenticity. Despite external pressures to adopt "new spiritualism," Maikaho is resolute in her purpose, committed to the divine inspiration of her work, and values community support through platforms like SprinNG and Flame Tree Writers Project. Her ultimate aim is to invite readers into a worshipful reflection on life’s mysteries rather than offering concrete answers.

Click here to read the full interview.