Su’eddie Vershima Agema is a lot of things, an
Editor and Publisher with the SEVHAGE imprint of VERSHAGE Enterprises; Team
Leader at SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative (a registered charity);
Vice Chairman Association of Nigerian Authors (Benue State Chapter); Council
Member, National Teen Authorship Scheme of the Association of Nigerian Authors;
Editor of Slyk and Distinct Magazine
– to mention a few. More known for his poetry, he was featured as one of the
Top 50 Contemporary Poets that rocked Nigeria (2013) by the EGC team, a
Nigerian poetry movement. Su’eddie is the author of Bring our casket home: tales one shouldn’t tell (SEVHAGE 2012)
which has been on some award lists already. We had an interview with him and
here are the excerpts...
1. You interview people yourself so
assuming you were to ask you a question; what would be the first question you
would ask? And what is the answer?
That would be something towards the
light of meeting the writer or person. Who am I? Well, some scribbler hoping to
make a mark wherever I find myself, inspiring while being inspired by everyone
and everything around me.
2. What is it would you say you do?
Wow! That’s somewhat difficult to
answer, really. I do a lot of things – and I think you mean profession here,
right? Among lots of things, here are a few: I write, edit professionally and
publish. I conduct workshops for students and youths on literature and writing;
and I edit a magazine, Slyk and Distinct
Magazine which is online, in Lagos and other parts of the South-West,
Nigeria.
3.
You have a published collection of poems ‘Bring our Casket Home: Tales
one shouldn’t Tell’. What inspired you towards this? And what do you have to
say about the book? Any awards yet?
Bring our casket home is a product of some six years of writing and serious refining. The
collection is made up of several poems that came at different times. Most have
been refined over the six year period and are really lucky to have come when
they did. Ultimately, I think I can say the inspiration in summary would be life,
love, living and death inspired the collection. You would find a bit of these
on every page.
The book is something that I smile
about. There are a few things I’d change if I was to do it all over but as they
stand, I give Aôndo the praise for His grace. Every time I pick that book up, I
find something new. The poems speak to me differently and I always find it
fascinating when I discuss a poem there or two with someone. Poetry sure has
its ways!
Awards... Hmmm. Okay, the book as a whole was
longlisted for the Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Poetry (2013). One
of the key poems, ‘Tales one shouldn’t tell often’ was shortlisted for the PEN
Nigeria/Saraba Prize for Poetry (2013). More than these though, I have had that
award most writers long for: testimonies that the book has touched someone in
one way or the other. Trust me, there’s no better award than that.
4.
We understand the ring of the SEVHAGE
and VERSHAGE as all connected to you, what can you tell us about them?
SEVHAGE has two faces. On the one hand, it is a
publishing imprint of VERSHAGE enterprises and on the other, it is a registered
charity, SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative with a great board of
directors comprising writers, academics, lawyers and development enthusiasts.
SEVHAGE in summary has the vision of promoting literature generally and to use
that now popular phrase – taking it to the next level. At VERSHAGE, we have a
full enterprise catering to publishing demands from independent editorial
services, workshops, publishing to consultancies.
5.
Is the journey of running a literary
Non Governmental Organisation worth the time to you?
It isn’t easy especially when you
are running most of it from your pocket and all but the truth is, there’s so
much joy and fulfilment when dreams come alive. When you look at other such
organisations as Write House in Ibadan, Abuja Literary Society and Abuja
Writers’ Forum in Abuja, your Purple Silver here and those great other people
doing one thing or the other in the promotion of literature, it makes you know
you aren’t mad... or that if you are, you aren’t the only one. Hee hee hee. So,
yes, even when the moment brings the headache, the aftermath makes every
second, every sweat of it worth the time.
6.
Describe the reception and public
appreciation of work by your organization.
Well, I can’t say what the public appreciation
is. People should say how they feel. So far though, people have been kind and
appreciative. I guess that’s that.
7.
That brings us to the issue of your
programs for 2014. Can you please share your planned programs?
We have several projects on hand,
the charity partnering with the registered charity. We have two flood
anthologies, one for short stories and another for poems coming out this first
quarter. It was meant to have been published last year but the editorial board
decided that it should be done more properly. We had to get permissions from
individual authors for works used and do a more thorough editorial job. We also
have the ONE HUNDRED YEARS AND A DAY project which celebrates the Nigerian
project. It comes in two phases. The first comes up on 8th February
2014 and we would be having an evening of spoken word poetry, songs, poetry,
short fiction and talks at the Aper Aku House opposite the Benue State
University, Makurdi. The project continues later with an anthology of two, a
competition and a few other things that would be put up online. There’s meant
to be something of a festival at some point. We would have workshops, and
continue to partner with literary organisations nationwide to promote
literature. That is on the charity front.
On the publishing front, we are
looking to more e-publishing platforms to serve our clients, doing a lot more
publicity, and having more events so that there is value for every kobo spent
with us.
8.
Your organization is based in
Makurdi, how does the literary front of Benue state and Makurdi in particular
look like?
Correction: our organization is not based in Makurdi alone. We have an
agency in New Karu, Nassarawa state, Abuja and Ibadan. We have our head office
here. That said, the literary front in Makurdi and Benue is quite healthy. We
have a crazy mixture of really talented writers and just people who have raw
talents that need to be fine tuned. We have an emerging generation of fabulous
writers who are set to make a name where certain limitations held back our
immediate elders. People like Joshua Agbo, Maik Ortserga, Pever X, Ada Agada, Kurannen
Baaki, Alex Hembaor, Sewe Leah Anyo, Debbie Iorliam, Aôndosoo Labe, Samuel
Okopi, Ene Odaba, Anselm Ngutsav, Hilary Oklobia and the like. We have adopted
sons like Hymar David and Sibbyl Whyte (laughs).
There’s much to smile at but these writers need lots of things. They need
support from organisations that would promote them as most of them are not
really endowed to take their writings to the top levels. Fortunately, with more
support from friends like Unoma Azuah, Chuma Nwokolo, Sam Ogabidu, Omadachi
Oklobia and the elderly counsel of Maria Ajima, Moses Tsenôngu, and the like,
there’s hope. Much more is needed though for there are several voices that need
encouragement.
9. Do you think there is anything for
writers and those in the literary arena in Benue?
Of course, there is so much! We are
going to witness much in the year, by Aôndo’s special grace. I am seeing
competitions, workshops, a festival and so. Maybe, there would be more
organisational appeal, the hand of the Benue Association of Nigerian Authors
(which has been doing much but not near enough), more events. If those here
don’t lose faith, if they come together and join forces to move our literature
forward, there would be just so much for writers and other artists. The first
concentration would be in Makurdi, of course. Subsequently, I believe things
would move to the other parts but I have great hope. More than just hope, I
have faith and there’s work added. Our combined work is already showing.
10. What needs to be done to move the
literary front in Nigeria?
This question has been asked too
many times to different writers and it becomes somewhat redundant. What does
one say? More sponsorship? More commitment? Well, we need to get our acts
together and be more committed to the project of writing and writers generally.
We don’t need to rely on government or associations alone to promote
literature. What can we do on our own? Can we donate books? Can we come
together and do projects? Recently, we went into partnership with Words, Rhymes
and Rhythms - WRR (whose curator is Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, the author of What words can do?) to do a book.
Different writers coming together to contribute and publish with some support
from SEVHAGE and WRR. There are people like Lola Shoneyin (with her Ake
festival), Abubakar Adam Ibrahim interviewing and promoting different writers,
Dike Chukwumerije mentoring little children in spoken word and organising
events for the Abuja Literary Society; Toni Kan in his Sunday Sun Revue; Ken
Azahan and Paul Ugah doing their media share; and many others. We have to move
from just making words alone to putting action together. In that way, and only
through that way, would we move to the next level because let’s face it: no one
would take you serious if you don’t take yourself serious.
11. Is Benue’s case different or she
shares in the separate ideal of efforts necessary to project it?
Well, Benue’s case is no different. It is something we all must do,
anywhere and everywhere.
12. What do you think the government can
do to develop the literary industry?
There are always lots of projects
that the government can sponsor – workshops; support literary festivals; create
residencies; support writer causes; anthologies that get writers in print;
making legislations to curb piracy; making a legislation to create a proper
milling industry (we don’t make paper in the country, we import!); do
programmes to support reading and writing that are practical and not just for
show; we can have poet laureates, you know; make writers more visible. The list
is endless sha.
13.
Do you see the Nigerian literary
system moving forward without government’s support?
That’s a funny question. The
Nigerian literary system – if we can call it that – is moving and far. You see
lots of our writers gaining recognition and awards more and more, nationally
and internationally. You have more individuals and organisations supporting
literature. See what is happening with the current Remi-Raji national
leadership of the Association of Nigerian Authors. See WriteHouse collective, Pulp
Faction, EGC group; see even the Word, Rhymes and Rhythm group... What about
Naija Stories, Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), Saraba
Magazine, Paressia, Farafina and Cassava Republic and those other publishers
trying to move things out of nothing. See what is happening in Abuja – the
Abuja Writers’ Forum; Association of Nigerian Authors (Abuja Chapter) and Abuja
Literary Society are taking literature to great heights. The events they are
putting up are phenomenal and the interest in literature, our literature is
picking. Did I mention the effort of government anywhere here? No. The government’s
support is little or not there. So, what are we saying? Government support
would help a lot, whether in terms of grants, recognition or any legislation
that would aid writers. None is being got at the moment but hey, we still are
moving. Yiiiihaaa!
14.
Finally, what do you think awaits
the entire planet of writers in Benue state?
A whole lot. Publishing
opportunities, competitions, events, lots of authors coming over... exposure...
There’s much coming writers’ way in Benue state but they are going to have to
play their part. There’s lots of sowing to do at the moment and we must all put
our hands together to work hard and get our best.
15.
Looking at how we started perhaps
you may ask yourself and answer a question you may have wished to be asked as a
close. Let’s call these the colleague privileges.
Privilege. Hee hee hee. Not sure
there’s much of any other question to add. I would simply say ‘Thank you’ to
everyone who has supported us in our writing and activities. To every writer
who’s taking time off your normal job and schedule, well done. Don’t give up,
there’s a reward. Keep the faith and let’s see how we would take ourselves, writing
and the literary process to a higher level.
16.
Thank you very much for your time
and we would hopefully be around to have covered your activities and programmes.
Amen. It would be great. Thank you.
NOTE:
Aôndo - 'God' in Tiv language.
Non formal English expressions italicised except laughter indications.
(c) PurpleSilver 2014.
