Meet the author who prefers writing to law practice

What was the work you presented and how did you win the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2013? My name is Tade Ipadeola, the winner of the NLNG Prize year 2013. I presented a book which is a collection of poetry called ‘The Sahara Testaments’, which is a selection of poem.  What is your […]

What was the work you presented and how did you win the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2013?

My name is Tade Ipadeola, the winner of the NLNG Prize year 2013. I presented a book which is a collection of poetry called ‘The Sahara Testaments’, which is a selection of poem. 

What is your profession?

I am a full time writer, but I am a lawyer by profession. 

How many books have you written?

I have written six books now, some are poetry in both English and Yoruba, while some are stories. Though it is a long story about my family, my grandfather is a Nupe man.

What do you think made the judges consider your work worthy of the prize?

NLNG told the judges that it is an award for excellence only and I was selected for my work, even though it was competitive. There were 201 entries in the year 2013. That year they said the basis was for poems and not prose. This year’s award went to Abubakar Adam Ibrahim and he emerged winner out of many good entries. Indeed he has done a very good work. 

What encouraged you to start writing when you were young?

I started writing when I was 10-years-old, I lived in a house where there are books and I felt I should also contribute by writing. 

What was your first book?

It was a work of poetry called ‘Voices’ and it was published in 1996 when I was 26 years old. 

 Did people mock you then?

Of course (laughter), and some said later that what is a lawyer doing with writing while I was in the lucrative profession of legal practice. But I defeated them as they now take writing more seriously than before, after I published books and became celebrated. I derive joy in writing.

Do you write for profit or what?

No, no, no. No writer publishes for profit, but to be immortalized in a given day in life with a prize among others. 

How long did it take you to publish your award-winning book?

It took me eight years to write my prize-winning book, it was not easy, but it was fulfilling. 

What is your call to young writers?

They should not be in a hurry. I know that Abubakar Adam Ibrahim took four years to write this book. Any book that will be worth giving attention should not be done in a hurry.

What is the challenge of writers?

What every Nigerian writer is facing now is how to survive. It is not easy to write full time for six years. And it is not certain what will happen. Institutions, state governments should offer residency programs and prizes to encourage the younger ones.

How can piracy be nipped in the bud?

We need to strengthen the administration of the justice system and the police. They need to be aware to work well.

Are some of your children emulating you?

Yes, two of my children are already writing.