‘People want to be friends with me because I’m Richard Ali’s sister’

Onega Joy Ukwubilb is an Economics graduate from the Kogi State University, a civil servant and sister of Richard Ali, author of City of Memories and co-founder of Parresia Publishers Ltd. She shares a lot on her brother away from the spotlight. Daily Trust: What’s kind of relationship do you have with your brother? Onega […]

Onega Joy Ukwubilb is an Economics graduate from the Kogi State University, a civil servant and sister of Richard Ali, author of City of Memories and co-founder of Parresia Publishers Ltd. She shares a lot on her brother away from the spotlight.

Daily Trust: What’s kind of relationship do you have with your brother?

Onega Joy Ukwubilb: It’s a normal relationship between an elder brother and a younger sister. He’s protective and gives me a helping hand when I need one. We went to school together and he was always there when I needed him and he still is.

DT: What do you love the most about him?

Onega: He is so intelligent. He knows almost everything in every field. For every question you ask him, he always has an answer. I love the way he writes too.

DT: What kind of person is he at home with family away from his career as an author?

Onega: When he is at home, he usually likes being alone in his room either reading or writing. If he’s not doing that then he’s outdoors gisting but he’s mostly an indoor person. My mum has a shop so sometimes we spend time together outside the shop in Jos. Other times we go out to a park.

DT: How has having an author brother played a part in your life? Has it come with any benefits or advantages?

Onega: Yes definitely, it’s quite inspiring. He’s doing what he loves and it makes me want to do what I love too and pursue my dreams and be the person I want to be. Also, I went somewhere and someone told me that I looked familiar, started guessing where I’m from and then asked if I have a brother who writes. He saw the similarities in us, and that’s how we got talking. We actually became good friends. 

DT: Have you ever felt like following in your brother’s footsteps?

Onega: I do write a little but I’m not as good as he is. I’m better with numbers. I studied Economics. I had wanted to study accounting but then my dad who’s a chartered accountant told me to study Economics and then go for my ICAN after my degree.

DT: What do you two have in common?

Onega: I guess we kind of look alike but he’s darker than I am. I know I’m intelligent and so is he then he loves to have fun and so do I. We both love hanging out with family and friends, eating and stuff like that. We enjoy doing the same things.

DT: Can you remember a piece of advice that he’s given you that still resonates?

Onega: He once told me that I should not let people define who I want to be but try to become the person that I want to be and not allow other people influence my decisions.

DT: What’s his favourite food?

Onega: He loves coffee. He can take it all day. He’s not really a picky eater, he eats everything. He generally likes good food.

DT: How does he unwind?

Onega: He reads.

DT: What’s does he enjoy watching?

Onega: Sometimes news, other times he enjoys watching James Bond movies.

DT: What fond childhood memories do you remember of you two growing up?

Onega: When I got admission into JSS1 at the school he was already attending, we started going to school and coming back together. I also remember our play times.

DT: What else do you think your brother would have done well at?

Onega: Maybe as a counselor because he gives really good advice and he loves counselling people.

DT: What are some unique traits about your brother that most people not aware of?

Onega: Firstly, he doesn’t know how to cook at all, he really needs to learn. Also, he’s very caring. He can go out of his way to please the people around him. He loves to see them happy and satisfied.

DT: What’s the best part of having an author for a brother?

Onega: Whenever I mention his name and people realize he’s my brother, the responses and reactions are very encouraging. They want to be friends. It makes me feel happy that he’s my brother and that people actually enjoy his works, and love reading his books. I feel very proud of him.