Oluwadamilola Abe is a writer and public analyst. In this interview with IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI, she bares her mind on topical issues stifling developments in the country.
Despite the poor reading culture prevalent in Nigeria, you have been an avid reader from a very young age, can you share with us some of the possibilities that abound in reading books?
The reading culture in Nigeria is really worrisome, but I am part of the people changing this narrative. And there are lots of possibilities that abound in reading. One of them is the fact that reading improves our writing skill. When you read, you know how to write. You learn writing style and the use of punctuations. Reading also improves one’s vocabulary. When you read, you learn new words and how to use idiomatic expressions. Reading also exposes one. You get to know about the culture of other places. You get to learn about other people’s culture.
How do you think stakeholders across all sectors in the country can revive the dying reading culture among Nigerian youths?
Stakeholders can revive the dying reading culture among Nigerian youths by creating a safe and enabling environment that promotes reading culture, intentionally spending a few minutes reading daily, joining book clubs and by buying more books and rewarding avid readers. They can also organise reading competitions.
For a while now, you have created an outfit envisioned to raise global authors, what has motivated you to create the platform?
I created the platform because I have come to understand the power of books. I have read from several authors, who are no longer in this world, even right from primary school. If people like Shakespeare had not written, I won’t be able to read their works. So, books will always be here. A lot of us have messages for the world, messages that can transform lives and change destinies. Writing a book is one of the ways of preserving this legacy, so that when we die, our books will remain and continue to change lives.
Also, with the era of digital publishing, books can reach the ends of the earth without us necessarily travelling down. Writing books also positions us as authorities in our fields. When people see your book, they know you have sound knowledge in that particular field. Imagine a Yoruba person publishing about Yoruba and putting it on a platform like Amazon? The book will reach the end of the earth, we have learnt so much about foreigners, now it’s time to make them see the beauty in our own writings too.
As a writing specialist and budding author, what are the key solutions you offer to people and in what way do they enhance their productivity and visibility?
As a writing specialist and author, I coach aspiring authors and bring them from zero ideas to being globally published authors. You don’t need to be a writer to be an author. I serve as an accountability partner to people, while they write their books. Writing a book can be daunting; we need some form of support while we write. I edit and proofread. It is not enough to write, let it be well edited to fit global standards. I have edited lots of books, between now and 2020. I create content for people and brands online. Many brands do not have the luxury of time to create content themselves. It’s my duty to bring their vision and message into writing. I teach people how to write. Writing is a must-have skill and this can be learnt. Writing a book and learning how to write increase one’s visibility. You are able to market your book to a global audience through global platforms. Writing makes you sell yourself and your vision to the world. You can reach me on Facebook.
As a public analyst, what are some of the ills you believe are hindering effective Public service delivery in Nigeria?
The first is a poor reward system. When people working are not paid well, they tend not to deliver well. Secondly, corruption has eaten deep into our system. There is also incompetent leadership. If we don’t have great leaders, how can they deliver effective service? You can’t give what you don’t have. It is the pure absence of systemic training. The day one stops learning, one starts dying. Leaders need to constantly develop themselves to fit into the current century, that way, they can innovatively think of better ways to deliver service.
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