Oladele Babajamu is a retired colonel of the Nigerian Army where he served for 30 years.
A prolific author in all the genres of literature he has authored over a hundred books. He is also an active member of the Association of Nigerian authors where he has played major roles in his home state of Kwara to situate the chapter and make it a model. In this encounter with EDOZIE UDEZE he states how the muse began for him and how writing has shaped his life over the years.
WHAT inspires you to write? The word inspires is to be awaken with sudden idea from the mind. People say that idea makes the world. Ideas are given by God for benefit to mankind and in this case in the form of literary doctrines. For an author there are other two ‘i”s that complements inspiration, these are intuition and imaginations, Intuition can be the sudden feelings to put down an idea from inspiration from something seen or observed from the immediate environment. Imagination on the other hand can be described as Image formation: this is using the author’s ability to beautify the written idea. Like most authors, I am inspired from what happened in my immediate environment,
What genre of literature do you express your self the most?
There are three genres of Literature namely prose, poetry and play (drama). God has en-graced me to produce publication in all the three genres. I am more comfortable with poetry: Because it is written in loose lines, free language and short words. While writing prose, I battled so much with tenses and structure and I am getting better now. Initially, I was afraid of drama, but the only way to stop war is to wage war. So I tried this principle with my debut drama work “Orangun, Iye-Oro”. The outcome was very fantastic.
When you read a book, what are the salient things you look out for most?
Every author is a messenger. What attracts me mostly in a book is the intended message by the author. How has the author been able to relate the message to the title of the book. Thereafter, is the craftsmanship, that is how has the author been able to use his imagination in passing the message to make the reader follow his taught,
At what point in your life did you decide to be a writer?
Writing is a form of talent. And like every other talent it is dormant in every human being and has to be discovered before it becomes active. My first published work was a poem that appeared in our school magazine, “The golden Stallion” in 1973 when I was at the Government Secondary School, Ilorin. I later went to the Word of Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI) at Living Faith Church Kano n 1999 where in one of the subjects titled, “Dynamics of Potential” we exposed to the realties of discovering our Potential (talents) and using it for the benefit of mankind. Then I realized that my potential in writing must be turned to kinetics. This led to the production of debut book titled ‘Artillery my Beloved Corps’ in April2002. This year makes it twenty years of my writing and I have published sixteen books and co-authored two others . I intend to make it twenty publications with additional two more books before the end of the year god’s willing.
What book helped to trigger your muse
I enjoyed reading African literatures particularly because of the settings. From primary school we read Fagunwa, Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmale and in secondary school we read “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. These days I’m in love with Chimamanda Adichie’s books particularly her craftsmanship and descriptive ability in “Purple Hibiscus” and “Americanah”. I also enjoy Toni Kan;s Story in the “Night of the Creaking Bed”. For spiritual rejuvenation, David Oyedepo books are fantastic, the mini-book “Hidden Covenant of Blessings” and the book “In Pursuit of vision’. These and other books have blessed me tremendously.
What issues occupy your attention when you write?
Majority of my publications are centered on my former constituency, the military and my native community, Oro-Ago in kwara State. The focus is how to relate the contents of the book to the tittle and create a realistic image of the protagonist in the mind of the reader of the story. The issue of suspense is also very important, because once surprise is lost before the end of the story, some exciting aspects of the book is lost. I also like my story to end on a good note. For instance if we imagine the story of a childless couple and after going through all the psychological torture; spiritual, physical and African rituals may be for ten years. It will not be proper for the child to die after primary school. The child should win scholarship to university and later in life take good care of the parent in life. That is how a good story should end.
Has writing reshaped your life in any ways?
The only raw material for writing is reading. Both activities are inseparable. Writing has broadened my mind. The mind is like a parachute it only functions when it opens.
Writing has given me a lot of psychological satisfaction. Apart from little financial compensation, I have also won some Merit Awards:
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Award for consistent literary contributions to the Nigerian Army in 2005.
The 2005 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja Chapter’s Merit Award for Sustainable Contributions to the Development of Nigerian Literatures.
Editors Choice Award, International Society of Poets (America) – 2006/07.
Government Secondary School, Ilorin, Centenary Merit Award – 2014.
Symbol Magazine Media Merit Award -June 2021.
The ANA Kwara State Chapter’s Merit Award -July 2021.
In all the books you have read, what character struck you most?
Okonwo in Things Fall Apart. Okonkwo was the image of a great traditional African man. The story of the father and consequently the family background was nothing to write home about. Despite all the negative factors Okonkwo through determination and hard work became a great man in the land: Apart from his rigidity. I enjoy the story. There are so many lessons that we can learn from Okonkwo, hardwork, determination, focus, and courage.
Who are your favourite authors and why?
D.O Fagunwa for his creative ability, Chinua Achebe for his foresight of effect on colonization by Western world in his book loaded with idioms an native settings: Chimamanda Adichie for being able to merge the ancient and mordern lives in her books; and David Oyedepo for spiritual inspiration.
If you meet any of your favourite authors, what will be you first question?
What is your source of inspiration and how can I be like you in popularity?
What book do you read last and what lessons?
“Emirate Blues and home Resistance” by Kehinde Akano. This book contains the author’s passionate anger against the violation of his native sovereignty and the constant struggle to seek redemption for the subjected folks. The book won the ANA Prize for Poetry at the 2021 ANA poetry competition.
When and where did you like to read or write?
I usually read in the early hours of the day. Sometimes I will read throughout the day since I have retired from active service. The same goes for writing; I do start my writing after morning devotion and could also write throughout the day and sometimes spanning into nights and over days depending on the type of articles. My wife would start asking me if I am going for Exam.
What book are you reading now and any striking lessons?
Pajepolobi by Kehinde Akano: a drama presentation of a legendary masquerader renowned for fairness and good deeds. I like the scene of where t some of the cast are playing “Ayo Game” and all the funny dialogues. We also have different masquerades in Oro-Ago and I am looking at how I can also write something like that for my community.