Godspower Oboido
| Godspower Oboido | |
|---|---|
 Godspower Oboido, London, 2011 | |
| Occupation | Writer and cultural activist |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Isoko |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Notable works | Songs of a Chicken Bone |
| Notable awards | Queen's Young Leader Award |
| Years active | 2005 – present |
|
Literature portal | |
Godspower Samson Oboido (born 10 November 1988) is a Nigerian poet and cultural activist. He is the founder of the Nigerian Council for Cultural Diplomacy and Research. His poetic voice has been compared to that of Christopher Okigbo and Leopold Senghor, two leading all time figures of African poetry and influences that clearly mark Oboido's style of poetry.
Biography
Early life
The last of nine children, Godspower Oboido was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Four of his siblings had died by the time he was born. Oboido credits the ancient city of Benin as one of his biggest cultural, historical and artistic influence. At an early age, he had a passion for drawing and painting and was quickly encouraged by his older siblings, all of whom were artistically gifted.
He completed his primary school education in Benin City and went to High Schools in Benin City and Iyede, a small town in Delta State winning many recognition and scholarships. While at Iyede, he set many academic records in his High School and won the prestigious state-wide Joseph Onotomo Merit Scholarship. Growing up, he aspired to be many things: a visual artist, engineer, lawyer and even a Catholic Priest as he admired celibacy.
After the death of his mother and graduating from High School, he moved to Lagos with the ambition of becoming a film actor. There he met the artistic director of the Nigeria National Theatre, Martin Adaji who asked him to write a stage play, his first. Thus began his passion for writing. He would continue to write more stage plays before penning his first poem.
Career
Literary career
Godspower Oboido began writing in Lagos after an unsuccessful attempt to pursue a career in film. In the beginning, he wrote many screenplays and stage plays, including "Shut up and sit down" which he self-published. He returned to Benin City where he started writing poetry. He said he had a longing to paint with words and slowly deviated from visual art.
In 2014, Oboido's first book of poetry, Songs of a Chicken Bone was released in Canada.[1]
The poet has been published in The Istanbul Review,[2] Saraba Magazine,[3][4] African writer,[5] Nathaniel Turner, The Star,[6] and elsewhere. In an article on National Mirror Newspaper, the poet was named alongside seven other writers, as the future of Nigerian Literature.
Songs of a Chicken Bone
Songs of a Chicken Bone,[7] a collection of Oboido's poems, is the poet's first full length poetry book and first book of his to be published traditionally. It was well received in the literary circle. British poet and literary publisher, Chris Emery, author of The Departure and other books, described Oboido's book as "spirited and engaged with the world". Poet, playwright and theatre director, Peter Harvey also wrote that Oboido "has been blessed with wide experience and with the grace to be true to his roots."
After the release of "Songs of a Chicken Bone", Oboido was invited to perform his poems in Kenya at the second Kistrech International Poetry Festival.[8]
Lecturing
Godspower Oboido has guest-taught and read his poetry at several universities in Kenya, including Kenyatta University and University of Nairobi. In 2013, he also guest-lectured at Saratov State University, Russia, teaching first year students English.
Politics
The writer was briefly involved in British politics. He wrote articles for Liberty GB, where he was also a member. Oboido pushed, with his articles, strong notions for Britain to return to its Judeo-Christian foundation.
Awards
Godspower Samson Oboido is a 2016 Highly commended runner-up in the Queens Young Leaders Award from Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. He is among the selected emerging young leaders from the Commonwealth that will receive a bespoke training delivered by The University of Cambridge for the year 2016. Also, In 2010, he was a finalist in the Future Nigeria Awards, making the list of 100 of the brightest and best Nigerians under the age of 30.
References
- ↑ http://nsemia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40:publication-of-songs-of-a-chicken-bone-isbn-978-1-926906-34-8&catid=9:media-centre&Itemid=117
- ↑ http://www.rob389.com/the-istanbul-review-03-summer-2013-/dp/en/12/1200000017868
- ↑ http://www.sarabamag.com/godspower-oboido-poetry-for-the-iroko-men/
- ↑ https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/10975438/africa
- ↑ http://www.africanwriter.com/the-journey-poems-by-godspower-oboido/
- ↑ http://allafrica.com/stories/201409110925.html
- ↑ http://nsemia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40:publication-of-songs-of-a-chicken-bone-isbn-978-1-926906-34-8&catid=9:media-centre&Itemid=117
- ↑ http://2014.festival.kistrech.org/index.php/199-godspower-oboido-nigeria