Writers Focus Interview: Valentine Ogunaka

Francisca Okwulehie interviews Spoken Word Poet and Author; Valentine Ogunaka. He speaks extensively about his journey as a writer, his work on the SDG's and how the writing industry can be encouraged.

FO:Tell us yourself (Name, Schools attended, Family etc)

VO: My name is Valentine Onyeka Ogunaka and I am widely known as Brainbox, sometimes Brainbox Onyeka. I am a creative and sustainable communication professional. Basically a development poet, brand expert, storyteller, entrepreneur with interest in brands that help improve lives. I have worked with peacebuilding, political, and tech organizations. I am now in the health space. I graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with a second-class upper bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Science. I am also currently a Masters Student of Development Communication with a key interest in film for social change. I am the first child and the reason my parents are together, and that's because I am purposeful with my life and I am making them proud of the family they built. 

 FO: How did you get into Writing?

VO: There are many events, and I keep remembering them as I grow older, but writing for me definitely started in my teenage years. My father owned a small library he really treasured. It was his sacred place and I think that was my first influence because during his reading sessions, he would call me/my sisters to check word meanings in the dictionary and read aloud to him. Then in school, at the defunct Royal College in Zaria, I contributed once to our yearly magazine and even scribbled a poem then to honour the school head, a female. I also began writing rap music after an Easter Sermon on the Mount Rap battle. I went on right there and freestyled before the members of a youth church, the Christian Teaching Centre (CTC). I was only 17, I think. But then my writing has evolved over the years because I have experienced several genres: Play, Poetry, Film, Prose etc. I have also explored fantasy writing, motivational writing, and political writing (defunct satirical @naijamatta on twitter, activism writing and so on. I realize now that getting into all the kinds of writing I have explored depended on the phase I am in life. I currently work in the health space, so I write more on health tips and contents that could inspire behaviour change in several communities. I am soon going to touch love, and romance and God because they seem to be where I am heading now.

FO: Who are your favourite Authors?

VO: The list is long. I would skip many names if I enumerate, but if you check my Instagram page, you will find out there are some Nigerian authors I respect and always mention. However, let me leave it at playing a little religious: God is my favourite author! I mean it!

FO: Do you have published work(s)/ articles? ( Where can they be found?)

VO: Yes have three books I would like to say could be publicly viewed or access. It is Dreams Wake Me, a semi-autobiographical collection of creative thoughts chronicling works from my performance journey as a spoken word artist. You can find it on Okada Books. My book for sustainable development, titled “Just Because we are grownups: Rhythm for the SDGs” is available through an article on medium. It will soon be available on one of the United Nations Website and through the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on the SDGS.

 I have another book: 7 laws of Life. I wrote it when I was a teenager. It is not on the internet, but those who bought it then have it. I would also like to say in an instant generation like ours, my preferred style of published works would be in video format and I have lots of them on YouTube and site alike.

 

FO: What is the most fascinating thing you have been able to do with your Writing?

VO: Money I started with making a difference by informing and inspiring my audience, and this has not changed. It remains my key purpose in life. Just that I have figured out a way of making money too. I do not want to be a poor writer. In today’s world, there’s not much dignity left in just knowing how to speak and write English. Yes, it is crazy but that how the world sees it. So, people will applaud you but hunger will kill you. Money should be a branch of literature Nigerian writers should start prioritizing. We have written enough. A part of me wants to motivate people to chase their own dreams and be successful, and though I can do this with writing, it is only disingenuous if I am not successful with my own art. Yes, we can measure success with many other things, but is money not fascinating?  

 

FO: Do you have writing Mentors?

VO: Reginald Offodile he acted alongside Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor and John Boyega in Half of a Yellow sun by Biyi Bandele, a Chimamanda Adichie adapatation. Reginald Ofodile trained me at some point. I follow other writers’ work though. Again, the list is long.

 

FO: Is there anything you think the Writing Industry can do to get better? 

VO: We have more stories than mineral resources in Africa, so write more African stories, starting with your own stories. Also, do not write solely for prizes or on topics you really do not believe in. It is disingenuous. Again, I think mentoring young (especially female writers) should be done under public forums, like one of my mentors Bash Amuneni does with his Performance poetry classes or as Dike Chukwumerije has done with the Abuja Literary Society. It provides safer spaces for growth as a writer because you would get feedback that is more candid to your work even from strangers.

 

FO: What is your fashion sense, on a scale of 1-10 ?,

VO: 5, but it is upscaling now. I realize the world respect you when you hit 10, but I will do 8 soon.

 

FO: Do you have a specific time for writing?

Not at all. I mean I have a 9 to 5 job that requires me to write. Or when a client needs me to write, I just write or don’t get paid. But for my most personal and intimate writing, 5’o clock every morning feels spiritual. I write with my heart more then, however as a professional writer, you don’t need a specific time. Block your writers’ block.

 

FO: What sort/ genre of books do you read?

VO: I read everything, including tweets. I am starting to read my bible again. I memorized it at 9 under my mother’s tutelage. But the people of this world have spoilt me, lol.

 

FO: If you were to go on a date with an Author or Writer, who would that be and why?

VO: Iyanu Adebiyi. She is very professional and she works very hard. That kind of philosophy turns me on (In a platonic way I mean), when a woman knows what she wants and is proactive about it. Do not tell her I said this, because she might write about it. That is how hardworking and intense Iyanu has been. She will not be shocked to see this because I had planned to make a video on dating with her before, but it didn't happen. Yet. I want to mention 10 other female writers, but you might think I am promiscuous.

 

FO: Do you think Writers should depend on the profits of their writing alone?( What's your opinion on Writer's having a side hustle?)

VO: No! To survive in life generally and at all times you need more than one skill, and thus more than one income source. But if you want to focus on writing, as it might be your strongest skill, then you need to diversify. For example, instead just writing for a newspaper, you can begin editing a company's product information or writing reviews for other authors books and CHARGE them because your review can sell their books. I believe in harnessing a skill like writing or better still learn an additional skill like graphics design because if someone wants you to write a book for them, they might as well need a designer. So you present yourself

FO: If you were to go on a vacation, what will be the five things you take along as a Writer?

VO: Laptop, Camera. Fine clothes. Bag. And a puppy, if it agrees not poo in another country until we return. Don’t ask me if I need a pen, a sticker note on my laptop makes scribbling easy. I would also not go with a girl. I will forget I am on vacation to write and start bonding. I don't want to be another Big Brother housemate.

 

FO: Drop your social media handles so your readers can get in touch with you.

VO: @iambrainbox on Ig. @justbrainbox and @brainboxonyeka on Instagram. Then search Valentine Onyeka Ogunaka on facebook. I have 5000 friends already, but not all of them are useful, so you have space.

Thanks for your time and attention.