Sefi Atta, a trained accountant is the author of three novels and a number of plays. Penultimate week, she presented her latest work, A Bit of Difference to the public in Lagos and had time to interact with fellow artistes and journalists. Edozie Udeze recounts that event
Penultimate weekend, the art community in Lagos gathered in large number to celebrate one of their own. It was a day when Sefi Atta, one of the foremost writers of her generation presented her latest novel – A Bit of Difference to the public. The occasion did not only offer artistes and art enthusiasts the opportunity to interact with Atta, it was equally a rare moment to discuss many issues affecting writers and writings in Nigeria and other societies across the globe.
And in the course of the intellectual discourse that followed, Atta was able to handle issues on a wide range of areas. From marriage to writing, to racism, to religious matters, and so on, Atta zeroed in on her style of writing, what informs her themes and why racism outside the African continent has become a global issue. Even the story of Deola Bello, which she handles in A Bit of Difference, critically examines life in and outside Nigeria.
At 39 years of age, Deola, a Nigerian expatriate in London, is dissatisfied with being single and working overseas. She works as a financial reviewer for an international charity. And when her job takes her to Nigeria in time for her father’s five-year memorial service, she finds herself turning her scrutiny inward. At home here in Nigeria, Deola encounters changes, deep-rooted changes for that matter, in her family and in the urban landscapes of her home. Now, new acquaintances offer her more unexpected possibilities. Her return, therefore, exposes the changes in her society and those of other foreign lands where she has been living for too long.
Here in this story, like Atta reveals, she uses Deola’s voice to unearth the various images of Africa and the realities of the contemporary Nigerian life. Deola’s voice is incisive, precise, strong and urgent. She captivates the intricate nature of a society at the crossroads of confusion, a society where everything happens, yet there is no decisive and concerted action to show that there is any meaningful progress in sight. The situation is so pathetic that Atta shows how precarious that can be when compared with life being lived across other more developed continents of the world.
Instructively, Atta handled the interactive session with the precision and boldness of a writer well attuned to her art. When asked if her exposure abroad has helped her to see the Nigerian situation more clearly, she said, “Well, I think I write what I see and what I experience. Even though I went to live abroad (Mississippi, USA) in 1977, I come home often not only to mingle but to also see my people. In other words, I don’t have any other writing experience but what I see in my own country. And this is what I write about all the time.”
Even though as a writer, Atta comes home and is equally grounded in the affairs of the nation, she agrees that the year 2012 was very productive for her. “I did pretty well in 2012 even though at 49, I wish I can slow down a bit. You can see that the speed is no longer as high as it used to be. Mine has been good because I deliberately concentrate attention on social issues when I write. There is plenty to write about in this country”, she reveals, smiling in the process.
Asked to comment on the problem of racism and tribalism in America and Nigeria respectively, Atta replied, “Racism is rampant outside the shores of this country. Although it is more carefully applied now, it is still there and will continue to be there. Even in churches in Mississippi where I live, people discriminate along colours and creeds. Here too in Nigeria, ethnic problems abound. But my greatest worry is that life is so cheap in Nigeria. And coupled with that, nothing gets done by government and so the society remains redundant; remains unprogressive year in year out. And so in the midst of all these, a writer’s work has to develop, has to come from somewhere. It is for me then to look deeper, to observe, to ask questions, to interact with my people in order to produce my stories,” she added, while the gathering gave their acclaim.
After three novels, one of which has been so well acclaimed (Something Good Will Come), Atta agrees that she is happy but not yet satisfied. “I love what I have done so far as a writer. Even as a trained accountant, I often think as a writer and no writer is ever satisfied. We keep imagining, pushing on, thinking and trying to better ourselves … Yes, I don’t want to be seen as a famous writer. I hate the word famous. I only want to be recognised for what I do. Recognition for me is good for a writer. Let the world see and recognise and appreciate what I do.”
As a writer, Atta said she hates to discuss other people’s work in public or to draw comparison therefrom. “I respect other authors and hate to say whether their works are good or bad. Every writer has something to offer, even though we know there are bad writings too. For me therefore, I just use what happens to me and to people around me to justify my stories. Before I begin to write, I first dream up the story. Essentially, my books explore how women make it in a patriarchal society like ours. It surprises me too how these women find time to overcome issues and become strong in such a society like Nigeria,” she said.
Asked if she is a feminist writer and whether marriage should be a binding factor for young girls, Atta first played on the issue thus, “Ah you don’t have to be dictated to by the society,” she grinned, turning round to face the large audience. “Well, for me, if you want to marry, go on ahead and do so. After all, there has to be continuity in the society. If you don’t want to get married and then as you approach 40 years, what happens? What do you do at that age? It is not my duty though to dictate to you or decide for you what to do.”
Concerning feminism which many said reflects a lot in her works, she declared, “I don’t even know what feminism means or what it stands for. But if it means people reading my works and identifying whatever that is in it, I don’t mind. For me, it is the news from home that matters so much.”
On the whole, Atta promised to do more plays now, which she confessed is less stressful. “I even started out as a playwright. I wrote plays for the BBC which were broadcast. For me, my plays have to have plenty of Nigerian issues, and scenes and events in order to identify with my audience. Although a play is not easier to write, it gives me less pain to do so. Hopefully, I want to write more plays henceforth,” she stated.
Atta who attended the event in company of her husband, daughter and mother, demonstrated how much strength she draws from her family. Also in attendance were Lagos socialite and former commissioner in the state, Wale Edun, Ogun State commissioner for Health, and son of Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Olaokun Soyinka, London-based Nigerian writer, Chibundu Onuzo. Others were human rights activist and researcher, Ogaga Ifowodo, culture activist, Toyin Akinosho, and many writers and journalists.
