MABEL SEGUN (Nigeria)

THE PIONEERS. One of the first quality female creative writers in Africa - that is Mabel Segun of Nigeria. Well educated, talented from a young age, she has made her mark over the decades as adroit poet, fiction writer, biographer, and essayist.

Mabel Segun's writings are marked by sparseness interspersed with a deft, sure hand as far as the prose itself is concerned, sensitivity, an equipoise of focus, with didactic undertones. A grand matriarch in the niche, she garners colossal respect across the board. 

For the majority, she will always be synonymous with her work, My Father's Daughter, which remains one of the classics of Nigerian literature, often categorised as juvenile, but universal in many other sweeping respects. It is a famous work that many pundits have stressed should never be allowed to go out of print (like Robert Wellesley Cole's Kossoh Town Boy)

Mabel Segun has not produced the type of striking, lengthy creative works that the likes of Chinua Achebe or Flora Nwapa are renowned for. But there are parallels in their writings, especially with Nwapa, an early female writer like Mabel Segun

Consider Segun 's work, Surrender and Other Stories (1995)  for example.  The book comprises shorter writings that reflect the variegated lives and experiences of women. Nwapa has also produced shorter fiction which focus on women in this way too; arguably no male writer would be able to write in this vein, as the works are unequivocally genuine, presented realistically from the prism of a woman. Such short vignettes are convincing and authentic.

Indeed, Mabel Segun is noted for her convincing writings, even when they are biographical, autobiographical. Of course her work, My Father's Daughter, comes to mind here.  But so also does the later work, My Mother's Daughter. The writer directly and indirectly pays tribute to her parents, mammoth influences in her life.

A formidable part of her literary repertoire includes her copious writings for the young, including the very young. This distinguished award winning writer has also evinced competent interest in Education, Sports, and Broadcasting. A Living Legend at almost 90! 
- O Bolaji

SELECTED WORKS

My Father's Daughter 

Olu and the Broken Statue

Sorry No Vacancy

Conflict and Other Poems

My Mother's Daughter

Ping Pong (on Table Tennis)

The First Corn

The Twins and the Tree Spirits

Surrender and Other Stories 

Reader's Theatre ((plays)

Under the Mango Tree

JEANNETTE D. AHONSOU (Togo)

Jeannette Délali Ahonsou from Togo is a highly respected writer from Togo. An author of a number of striking, imaginative works, she was born in Lavie in 1954.

She was educated at neighbouring country, Benin where she bagged an English
Degree from the University of Benin (now University of Lomé). Thereafter she was a teacher and academic, working on various works. She writes in French essentially and put her country on the map.

Her novels are fecund, with fine characterisations presenting convincing slices of life and situations. The English speaking world might not be too familiar with her books, but she has carved a niche for herself as a talented African wordsmith.

Le Trophee de Cristal was published in 2005. "The heroine of the novel has found her soul and the love of her life after crossing the desert. It is a novel that invites to struggle, to pray and hope.”

Le Piège à Conviction (2013) was also a success. "In this novel the author discusses various topics from the power of money to the power of love. The author speaks of wickedness, infidelity, lies ...”

Un Tunnel sans Bout (2015) is her most recent creative work. In sum, Ahonsou has published four remarkable books, her earliest work thrusting her into the literary limelight.

This was the celebrated Une Longue Histoire, which earned her the Prix Littéraire France-Togo in 1995.

This cerebral lady writer is deservedly known in many quarters as the "Voice of Togo". How apt!

Bibliography

Ahonsou, Jeannette (1999). Une Longue Histoire. Lomé:
Editions Akpagnon.

(2005). Le Trophee de Cristal (in French). Lomé: Les Editions de
la Rose Bleue.

Le Piège à Conviction (2013). Lomé: Editions Awoudy.

Un Tunnel sans Bout (2015). Lomé: Editions Les Continents.

AMAKA AZIE

By Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga (South Africa)    

The genre of Romance in literature is not actually something nascent in literature. It is part and parcel of literary genre that has been enjoyed with great appreciation by many people in the world for centuries.

However, the blatant mistake committed in some circles for donkey years is when literary romance is associated only with white people! This type of concept contributed in misleading and giving a wrong impression about the central meaning of literature, associating Africa in particular with dark deeds and feelings.

Yes of course romance writers over the decades have flourished successfully in Europe and United States. The romance books which these writers have produced have received wonderful appreciation both by general readers and by literary pundits (think the Mills and Boon series; or even Barbara Cartland)

Imperatively some literary pundits have even offered their literary appraisal to promote romance literature.
As far as the world is concerned there is written evidence that shows that literary romance used to be relished with glee by the Greeks when the world was not accustomed to formal written language. In Europe over the year’s, books like Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte to name but few are regarded as romance literature. This is how the Europeans have viewed their literary development and it is really inspiring. Yet in similitude Africa has also exquisite romance writers who produce stupendous romance literature.

In Africa where communities are deeply immersed in tradition and religion one might even tentatively
surmise that aspects of literary romance are possibly not tolerated. That in such communities any attempts by any African writer to propagate literary romance will obviously trigger turbulence which might even lead to violence upheaval or a writer will unfortunately be labeled as "iconoclastic".

In fact, this is a sheer delusion cum hypocrisy which emanated from colonial mentality which used to suffuse
lies that Africans are not different from animals! Africans are not animals and they too have feelings like any other human beings in the world. None can exclude the pleasure of love and relationships from any mortal being. It is no longer stupefying today to see the world experiencing interracial romantic affairs blossoming with great enthusiasm. Dramatically the proverbial sensuous romantic features like love and relationships are not neologism words among African people.

These  cognate sexual connotations  are not surreal to Africans; for millenniums and centuries, Africans indulged in love and relationships like elsewhere in the world. Therefore, the dimensions of literary romance in modern times underpin what existed for many years between men and women in love and exhilarating relationships. In essence, one needs to ponder that African communities have evolved from the period of ancient times where aspects of love and relationship were strictly organized and guided by the elders until colonial control wrought havoc in the very same tribal formidable organization.

Today Africa has big modern cities which have a strong influence on people’s lives. The potent of
education and technology also has a perennial impact that is appealing to the ordinary people and the society in general. Therefore, things need to improve and accommodate us; Africans themselves need to play a leading role to advance anything pertinent to their lives. For instance, Romance literature in Africa must be
the product of Africans which reflects African romance.

It is therefore gratifying that the award-winning Nigerian/African literary Romance writer,  Amaka Azie has
done exceptionally well in illustrating her literary deft with great enthusiasm and prolificacy. In her fascinating literary journey, she has brilliantly resolved and firmly promotes romance literature with profound vigor.

Nevertheless, her romance writing cannot be interpreted as parochial because in her writing, African characters are vividly dazzling. Imperatively she is an internationally recognized romance African writer who is proud about her African people. Her extraordinary didactic literary dexterity which she employs in
her writing does endow the world with the knowledge that Africans do engage in love and relationships.

Amaka Azie has been an avid reader and writer since from her teen years. Over the years especially in her
school days she used to mesmerize her peers in school and her teachers with her magical literary flair. It cannot be disputed that she is enamoured with romance literature and from the onset she has shown her fervent passion about African romance that she embellishes by depicting African characters in her romance writing.

By her own account, it was a fillip to her after a long search when subsequently she discovered African romance writers like Helen Ovbiagele of the Pacesetter fame. In one of her interviews she explicitly stated that “she wants to be a part of brave authors showcasing that romance occurs in Africa too. The continent is not only riddled with poverty, wars and political instability. Africans fall in love too."

Inevitably, modern Africa needs writers who can steer their society to somewhat delineate certain day to day aspects of life like love and relationships with creative significant meanings.

Romance literature has inspired guidance so that it can be imbibed with gusto. For instance, when one reads a romance literature one is obviously expecting to be inspired by the heroine's reaction and by the chivalrous depiction of a hero-that can be fascinating.  Features like kissing, touching and sex cannot be avoided in romance literature. Literary romance can show the beauty of love and its myriad repercussions. It can also give vivacious sense of didactic teaching where male characters will be expected to be courtly to the damsel.

Moreover, the world cannot avoid the reality of love and relationships. We are living in a world where
our society is becoming recalcitrant, refusing to conform to normal decent societal behaviors. Gruesome acts such as rape, sexual abuse, divorce, sardonic sexual behavior and neophyte sexual relationship which
sometimes end up in unwanted pregnancies are very dire issues that now ravage our societies . Specifically, it cannot be expected that literary romance can be a panacea to societal problems, however to show noteworthy interest in reading romance can provide understanding on issues of love and relationship.

Key African romance writers like Dr. Amaka Azie deserve to be commended for their sterling efforts in endowing the world with pertinent African romance literature that is relished with fascinating passion. Azie in particular continues to garner lots of praise for her powerful plots and settings, convincing characterization, and denouements. Already, there are dozens of perceptive, positive reviews of her work on goodreads (website), for example. Here is a scintillating African writer who can walk with head held high! 

BOOKS BY AMAKA AZIE    

 Thorns and Roses 

The Governor's Wife

Melodies of Love

 The Senator's Daughter

Love At First Sound. 

Starting Over Again

KALU OKPI

Kalu Okpi (1947 – 1993) of Nigeria wrote and published some of the most exciting "popular" fiction, or thrillers in Africa over the years. A remarkably imaginative writer of prose and drama, Okpi deserves much more attention even in recent times.

He published some ten works of gripping fiction, starting with The Smugglers in the 70s. In many other works, like On the Road, Crossfire, Coup!, Love, he created interesting characters, including delectable women. In a novel like The South African Affair, the usual stunning plot, twists and turns, and startling finale make for powerful reading. 

International scholars have recognised Okpi's contributions to interesting African fiction - at least some of them; as witness certain major anthologies and books on African Literature in general.  Such scholars include Wendy Griswold, Oyekan Owomoyela, K.S Ogbonna, V. Coulon, T A Ezeigbo, and H Ehling. But Okpi's work and impact deserve even more attention. 

In many ways, he was a versatile writer, and stylist - he was in fact a scriptwriter for the national television of Nigeria (NTA). He also published a play titled ECHOES: a play in 5 Scenes.

It is often suggested that "popular writers" are essentially undermined, with a dearth of real studies or full-length works produced on their ouvre. This is certainly not the case overseas, with hundreds of studies and books regularly written and published on the likes of Agatha Christie, Enid Blyton, Philip Roth, John Updike, R L Stevenson, and countless others. Why should the situation be different in Africa, or specifically in Nigeria which has such a vibrant literary history and community?

We must celebrate, enjoy the literary contributions of the likes of Okpi, Victor Thorpe, and the great Ekwensi. Many monographs should be published on them, which would include appraisals of their published work, positive and negative. Here, for example, is some criticism of Okpi s novel, Love changes Everything.(by Erl, on goodreads) :

“… The plot has holes on every page so large you could drive a Mack truck through them. Additionally, it promotes wrong-headed ideas such as love at first sight and revenge. A woman who is traumatized by witnessing her parents' murder will not be able to "lay the ghosts to rest" by committing additional murders. Lastly, the protagonist, a major rock star, decides to sell all his assets for half a million US dollars. Half a million-- really? He then proceeds to spend so much money on the next few pages that he is certainly broke by the end of the chapter, but there is no mention of that. .. ‘

Kalu Okpi, rather like the Eurocentric writers Mark Twain, Agatha Christie, or even James Hadley Chase gave a lot of pleasure to (African) readers via his well written novels or thrillers.  His legacy must be kept alive, with at least 2, 3 - or much more - full-length studies, biographies et al focused on his life, times, and of course, his prolific creative work.

-         O Bolaji

Works by Kalu Okpi

The Smugglers  

Cross-fire  

Biafra Testament  

Love

On The Road

The Oil Conspiracy

 Love Changes Everything  

The Warriors

The Politician

The Jasmine Candle

 The South African Affair

 Coup ! 

ECHOES: A Play in 5 Scenes