I prefer to call myself a Yoruba storyteller —US-based Onadele

Cash Yemi Onadele is a US-based Nigerian philosopher, poet and playwright whose works are rooted in Yoruba culture and heritage with messages for readers. In this interview with Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, he speaks on why his works have focused on the rich Yoruba heritage, his childhood and his literary vision, among others. Excerpts:

How would you describe yourself as a writer?

I have evolved in profiling myself as a writer. Philosophically, I want to be global in my reach, poetically, truthful in perspective and playfully authentic in my scope. Not quite easy but I prefer to call myself a Yoruba storyteller. I may have traveled the world but I’m what the Yoruba culture has baked.

What do you strive to achieve in your literary works?

That is simple; humanity, tolerance, accommodation. The rewarding impact would be for my reader to examine the particulars of my stories, examine their conscience before they wear the robe of judges.

You write plays, screen plays, poetry, and prose. How easily do you flow from one literary genre to the other?

Initially, I went from awkward to mechanical and later, to natural, I think. Over time, I’ve learnt to combine poetry in prose. In this season, after 52 volumes, I no longer concentrate on anthologies. I want to believe that poetics enhance my prose.

The Yoruba culture is predominant in your books. Where did you acquire the influence and why is it the driving force in your books?

My early childhood was in Odo-Alamo, my father’s village. It’s all Yoruba culture where people speak in rich dialectic axioms, idioms, and proverbs. I’m sure that contributed a great deal in addition to the fact that my grandfather told stories.

Considering your cultural affinity and proclivity, do you support the agitation for a Yoruba nation?

Our country needs a revolution in its system of governance. I belief in the decentralisation of the police and essential state services; the creation of an overreaching regional arrangement of Nigeria preferably, forcibly detribalised in all services. While, I desire our original cultures to be celebrated, I don’t wish this country broken up. There’s power in population. We just need to harness it.

You are said to have authored about 67 titles of African literature. Is this true?

I haven’t analysed or sliced and diced my body of work in that way. I know my running total is about 85. Whatever I write, even if its setting is foreign, can easily be translocated. I know I have completed 52 anthologies and 32 fictions and one non-fiction. I am currently working on 15 projects in different stages. Some have working titles, others have loglines, many don’t have a clean plot, setting or character list. I spent the last three weeks planning my 2022 writing agenda and theme.

With the number of books you have churned out over a short period, what are your plans for making them available in Nigeria?

We are proactively searching for partners. We are in the market for a reputable local printer who can take on effective nationwide print and distribution.

Do writers of this generation have a role in nation building like the first-generation Nigerian writers?

Collectively, we have our work cut out for us. We are not visible and loud enough, maybe for fear of being incarcerated or banned. We need more associations of writers, from the grassroots to erudite professionals. We are primarily responsible for the reading culture and informing the people. That is not the responsibility of government. We need to create content, which must find its way to education, government, health, all systems.

With 85 published works, what are your future plans for integrating yourself and adding value to the Nigerian literary and arts space?

I have a brand management company working in partnership with Aiyekoooto Productions to work on branding and plan book fairs, book signings, academic alliances and movie production of some selected works. That would be the first stage of re-entry into the Nigerian literary and arts space. Others will follow based on consultations. I dream at some point to set up a black academy of arts. That way, in collaboration with others, we can influence the next generation.

What do you consider the root cause of our current challenges as a nation?

Tribalism! If I have 15-minutes to run Nigeria, I will divide it into 50 Square states with rail lines for borders running north-south and east-west, then, highways that are running through as diagonal fits; maybe complete mobility will start the change.

From a diaspora Nigerian’s perspective, how can we harness the talents scattered all over the globe to rebuild our nation?

I don’t have the perfect answer, but we must find what is positive, inclusive and revolutionary enough for people to come home. We must show seriousness of purpose, maybe formation of a national youth party and vote out all current members of the National Assembly and sitting governors. We need something radical and enormous.

 What advice do you have for Nigerians?

The youth should set up their own national party. Current leadership should step aside into advisory roles. Those who have conscience should return all they stole. I believe things can’t continue this way. I’m a strong advocate of political and ethical revolution, if it can’t be achieved in peace. Everyone who has served and found to be corrupt since 1960 should return all. We need to cleanse the system; there’s no cleansing without sacrifice.

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