Nwuliafrica Exclusive: 10 minutes with Tade Ipadeola, winner of 2013 NLNG prize for Literature.

Tade Ipadeola is a name not faraway from the lips of stakeholders in the literary world. Apart from being a poet extraordinaire, his latest work, "Sahara Testament" bagged him the prestigious and highly coveted NLNG Prize for Literature for 2013 valued at $100, 000; the highest paid in Nigeria.
The presentation of the prize will be coming up sometime next year. Recently, yours truly ran into him. This is the outcome of the 10minutes i spent with him.
Enjoy!!!!!

* How does it feel winning the 2013 NLNG prize for Literature after the Delphic laurel in faraway Korea in 2009?

Tade: It is surreal, this is the feeling even after a month of the announcement. One feels grateful that the work was recognized but one can't yet believe it. The competition was tough this year. The Delphic was different. Perhaps we are used to being recognized abroad. The competition was also tough for the Delphic but not this tough.

* How hard was it arriving at the title, "Sahara Testament"?

Tade: Actually, I didn't struggle much with the title once I decided on the scope of the work.

* How do you combine creative writing with your Law profession. Isn't it too demanding?

Tade: I have had to narrow my scope of legal practice to Intellectual Property and Human Rights . It got too demanding at a point. But my work as PEN President of Nigeria is essentially to promote freedom of expression.

* Do you wish to share the knowledge of what the money will be used for?

Tade: I will like to build a library with this prize dedicated to the memory of the late Kofi Awoonor. It will be a library of light for future generations. People will get access to African literature there and also world literature really. I began gathering material for it after the prize was announced and I am talking to a firm of architects, Impluvium Consulting, for possibilities.

* It has been said that your use of poetic language demonstrates a striking marriage of thought and verbal artistry expressed in the blending of sound and sense. How did you achieve this?

Tade: Language is crucial. I think that planners have prioritized English above indigenous languages in the education of children and this is a mistake. Understanding the importance of language is key.

* Any future endeavours?

Tade: I am in accouchement right now. But I plan to write a volume on the great Karoo soon. Also, I am writing fiction.

* Words for upcoming poets?

Tade: Young poets need to read very widely. Only voracious reading helps. After that they need room for reflection.

* My special question. *smiles* What is your stand on the ongoing ASUU strike?

Tade: The government should honour the agreement they entered into with ASUU so that work can resume in universities. Students have lost time unnecessarily.