Bookshelf: How being ‘voiceless’ as a child made me a poet – Gwani P.32

We need to change our mindset and stop looking at things that are local and indigenous to Nigeria as inferior. Successful countries in the world did not borrow technology, but helped in building indigenous ones

Umar Saleh Gwani is author of ‘Thunderclap’, a collection of poems. Born and raised in Bauchi, he is a member of the Kaduna Writers League and Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). Here, he talks about his debut collection, how he found his voice in poetry and more. Excerpts:

Bookshelf: Your poetry collection, ‘Thunderclap’ explores humanity in a very intriguing manner. What would you say was the trigger for these thoughts?

Umar Saleh Gwani: It’s a long story. I have been attempting to have questions answered about existentialism; who we are and why are we here. I discovered that we don’t get these answers satisfactorily from the sources we inquire from. Over a period of time, I have been reflective of my journey through various aspects of life. That exposure made me look at people in a different way.

Bookshelf: You interrogated matters of faith and belief in some of your poems. What were you trying to say? Gwani: It’s interesting that

They say children are meant to be seen and not heard, so we didn’t have voices and decisions were being made for us. I asked a lot of questions, but never got satisfactory answers from grownups. So, I started keeping a diary at the age of eleven

when we come to issues of belief, it is abstract. People tend to accept what they believe based on who said it or their conviction. In the process, they are left without satisfactory answers. Spiritual experiences differ, and without having the ability to look into other peoples’ minds, we assume others feel the same way.

Since human beings lack the capacity to know what goes on in another person’s mind, this led me to try to see what is common in the challenges people have with their belief, especially when we come to issues of faith. We are in a period of civilisation where people accept what they want to be true and not what is true. They call it alternative fact.

Try to imagine somebody coming to preach a new faith to you and the doubts you have. There must first be doubt before one has

faith in something. This is the

point where you are convinced beyond any reasonable doubt. If you look at it, both the Islamic and Christian faith have moved away from preaching the purpose of human beings in this life and instead preach prosperity.

Bookshelf: Some poets believe that hiding the meaning in a poem is important. What is your take?

Gwani: It depends. Language mastery is very important. One should have adequate vocabulary for expression. In poetry, the arrangement of words isn’t about obscurity, but giving every individual a part in a piece so they can identify with it in different ways. I don’t hide things with respect to obscurity or meaning, but people who lack certain depth may not understand.

So, hiding meanings sometimes comes out of trying to use metaphors. In this way, sometimes meaning is lost. At other times, deeper meaning is found. Unfortunately, people sometimes complain that my poetry contains very complex words. But I think it’s not meant for everyone. One has to reach a certain level of poetry appreciation, have excellent historical background and good vocabulary in order to enjoy the imagery created.

Bookshelf: In the poem, ‘Young’ you used the words “digital slavery” to describe how youths are carried away by technology. Would you care elaborating on that? Gwani: I have been involved in Information Technology all my life. Technology has affected our relationships, particularly in the way we relate. For example, before now, when we wake up, we do our morning devotions; greet members of our immediate family and even others outside our home. Today, before people even get off their beds, they check

WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms. Young people have moved away from normal relationships we enjoy to digital relationships that allow them be who they want to be. So, I tried to look at what technology has changed. The young people are victims of a second wave of digital slavery. The first was when everyone wanted to have an electronic mail. Today, people spend a lot to buy data which is then wasted on entertainment and things that cannot pay for that data.

Bookshelf: A poem that appears to be a lament about the underdevelopment of a country like Nigeria is ‘The Don’ts’, where you compare having faith with visible development. You also added that the piece is a “reply to Holderness”. What do you mean?

Gwani: A friend of mine, Ahmed Holderness, a medical doctor in Lagos, wrote a poem trying to explain how restrictions or rules move us away from our purpose in life. Essentially, the poem was a response to his. Why would anyone ask me to keep faith when someone builds a rocket while we collect firewood in the bush? The level of development in terms of indigenous technology has helped those countries to move away from underdevelopment to being world powers.

We need to change our mindset and stop looking at things that are local and indigenous to Nigeria as inferior. Successful countries in the world did not borrow technology, but helped in building indigenous ones, most especially their human capital. They have peculiar solutions to their peculiar problems, which we are not doing currently. The educational system is used to provide civil servants for administrative work for the government and other places, but it does not prepare the young to think critically and solve the nation’s economic problems.

Bookshelf: You are a graduate of Animal Production Technology, and presently a teacher, farmer and engineer. How did writing poetry begin for you?

Gwani: While growing up, I had issues with communication because of the kind of society I grew up in. They say children are meant to be seen and not heard, so we didn’t have voices and decisions were being made for us. I asked a lot of questions, but never got satisfactory answers from grownups. So, I started keeping a diary at the age of eleven and wrote most of the things I saw and observed. As a science student, I wasn’t opportune to study literature, but because of my interest I developed a good reading habit. I started writing poetry in secondary school. I wrote for students during special occasions like valentine. They say practice makes perfect, but I am not perfect. I think I have found a style that is uniquely mine. I served in Niger State where they had a vibrant branch of the Association of Nigerian Authors and I was invited to read at the College of Education Minna. That inspired me. I met people like BM Dzukogi, Abubakar Gimba who was then national president for ANA. They gave me a lot of encouragement. Later, when I went to New Nigeria, I also met a lot of people like Diego, who are good poets. From there, we formed the Kaduna Writers League. From then, I never stopped writing poetry. I write at least one in a day.

Bookshelf: What are you working on at the moment?

Gwani: I’m presently working on two books. One is a collection of short stories on what is happening in the northeast. I am also working on my second book of poetry, a mystical collection.