Parents need to read more – Chinyere

Weekend Magazine: A little bit about your educational background. Mrs. Chinyere Iwuala Obi: I attended the Federal Government Girls College, Benin. I read English/Literature in Abia State University, served in Sokoto, went back to the University of Uyo to read Law and was called to the bar. I taught English and English Literature during my […]

Weekend Magazine: A little bit about your educational background.

Mrs. Chinyere Iwuala Obi: I attended the Federal Government Girls College, Benin. I read English/Literature in Abia State University, served in Sokoto, went back to the University of Uyo to read Law and was called to the bar. I taught English and English Literature during my youth service at the Federal Government College, Sokoto. I practised law for seven years before I joined the Centre Point Bank Plc which later merged with nine others to form the Unity Bank Plc. I am still currently with Unity Bank Plc.

You studied Law but have found yourself in the banking profession and also in the literary world. Why the change from Law and how are you coping?

I actually studied English Language/Literature before studying law. I also practised law for seven years. Writing is a talent; a gift which God can bestow on anybody and with discipline; you can practise alongside every other thing. If you are a talented writer, there is that pull to write the stories boiling within you. There are many professionals who are into writing; Wale Okediran and Imasuen Eghosa are medical doctors, Cyprian Ekwensi a pharmacist while Philip Begho and Ahmed Maiwada are lawyers as well as  Thelma Njoku is an architect with a full time job.

How did you find your passion for writing?

Simple. I just discovered I had a very fertile imagination. I write them down and people are enthralled with them. My stories are meant to amuse, entertain and sometimes educate. I recall one proud moment in secondary school when a teacher once passed my essay around as an example of what a good essay should be.

How would you assess the literary terrain in Nigeria?

I am excited at the thought of the growing interest in writing and reading. You need to be on the internet to see what great ‘stuff’ people are writing. We have renewed interest in writing I guess being fired on by the success stories of the Chimamanda Adichie, Chika Unigwe, Lola Shoneyin and a host of others. The literary groups springing up all over the country is proof of this renewed interest in literary works.

Your book ‘The Great Fall’ got to the finals of the NLNG Literature  Award 2011.  What was the feeling like?

It was a very, very good feeling. Emerging finalist from 126 entries from Nigerians in Nigeria and Diaspora was no mean feat. It humbled me because of the awareness that it could only have been by the special grace of God. Yes I felt good.

You are a wife, mother, banker and writer, how do you juggle all these demanding schedules?

I just have to find the balance, because each of these arms is very important to me.  I love being a wife and a mother of five children. It would have been hard to work if not that I have the most understanding, hardworking and responsible husband who does not discriminate between what men and women should do. If I am not available and cannot make the PTA, bath the children, take them to the salon to fix their hair, he willingly does them. He believes the children too are his! My children; maybe because they are more girls (four girls and a boy) are obedient, beautiful, sweet, calm, well behaved children and everything you would wish in children. These are potential leaders in their own right. I thus have the emotional stability to function. Of course, I had house helps, but I still cooked the major meals and do home work.

I love my job in the bank. I believe in the maxim that whatever your hand finds you to do, do it well. I devote my office hours to work. Is that not why I get paid at the end of the month?

Of course, it goes without saying that I love writing. I write a lot at nights from 2am till 5am. I don’t even feel the time of the day or think it is strange or hard work. It is just fun for me creating characters and laughing as they either make mistakes, fumble of resolve their differences. Writing is one of the best things to do in the world.

Between banking and writing which is more challenging and why?

They both have their own challenges and that makes it difficult to categorically say that one was more challenging. Working in the bank is like working in any organization. You have your low periods like when you have a disagreeable boss and the high moments when you receive promotion or moved to a department that you love. The challenge as a banker is that you must be at your duty post except the few days you are on leave but as a writer you can take a very long break to attend to more pressing issues. For example when I was preparing my children to take examinations into secondary school, I packed my stories one side and taught them till they passed all their examinations.

What memories of your childhood do you cherish most?

The holidays, I came from a large family of eight and I was the first. There were six girls and two boys. We attended different secondary schools with majority attending Federal Government Colleges; Benin, Yola, Potiskum, Ikot Ekpene and Calabar. We talked all day and even now I remember a lot of the stories some of which we wondered if it did not happen to the person telling the story. My parents were business people so their time was flexible. During holidays, they spent a lot of time with us in the morning before going out. They were comfortable and made sure they provided for us. I had all my degrees at home before getting married.

What life lessons have you learnt in all these years?

I have learnt a lot of lessons in life. If you have passed through different schools, served, worked, been married for 17 years and have five children, you should have tons of experience. On my birthday, I posted my life lessons in marriage and life in general on my website. I think you should have a look at it.

You also had a short stint with NTA as an interviewer. Tell us your experience.

I have done many things for which I was not paid; presenting New Age on NTA Channel 6 Aba was one of such. While in my second year in my second degree, I was invited as a discussant. At the end of the discussion, the Producer Ebere Iheanacho was so impressed that he asked me to take over from Jessica Obioma who left for Lagos and started her own program. I was not paid because the NTA asked all producers to use staff for their program. Ebere Iheanacho however wanted a new face. I presented the program at different times with Cliff Ayozie and Ekenna Igwe. Recording took place twice in one month. I stopped after two years to face my studies. It was fun and further built my confidence. I can confidently speak before any number of persons. That is what television does.

How do you still find time to write and even relax?

Banking is between certain hours. So I still have most of my weekends free and from the time I come back from work till I get to work the next day. I relax by reading, watching TV or listening to my children tell stories of what happened in school.

As an author, what do you think should be done to improve the reading culture among Nigerians?

A lot and at different levels, more parents should be reading so that their children can emulate them. Parents should cultivate the habit of buying books for their children and newspapers every day. Regulate TV watching time and reward those who read their books. The government should make the libraries functional once again. Literature should be made compulsory in school. More Companies should devote their CSR programs on literacy campaigns. Schools should have libraries, reading clubs and hold literary events.

Are any of your kids already towing the line of the literary terrain?

My third daughter is a brilliant writer. She is working on a book ‘36 colourful stories.’ I guess that must be a working title. She equally has a fertile imagination and will keep us guessing whether a story was true or false. I am still studying the younger children.

Most of your books are focused on children stories. Any particular reason why?

I may have written a lot of children stories and short stories that is not all that I do. I have been working on some novels for year now which I hope to publish very soon.

Tell us about life after NLNG.

I am now on the spotlight so I have to not only behave myself and watch what I say, I also have the added responsibility to work harder than ever before. I have embarked on a spread the book project which aim is to make sure that my books get to every nook and cranny of Nigeria.

Recently I donated 1,000 books to Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB). I intend to do similar donations all over Nigeria without discrimination. To that vein, I am looking for Nigerians who would wish to partner with me to distribute these books of mine to public schools especially because they cannot afford libraries and most times schools and parents do not have money to buy books. Of course they will obtain copies at ridiculously low rates and there will be indication in the books that they were the ones donating the books.

What is your greatest joy as far as writing is concerned?

To have my books read by as many Nigerians as possible. Is that not the reason I write, to be read.