By
Deborah Uzoma
A final-year mass communication student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nweke, Benard Okechukwu, has won the 2024 ZODML Poetry Prize.
Every year, ZODML, which stands for Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Library, sets aside a huge amount of money for its annual competition for undergraduate students at public universities in Nigeria.
The 2024 competition theme was “Hopefulness.”
Nweke’s poem, “Someday, I will Bloom Without Bleeding Into A Desert,” topped the list of five shortlists .
The varsity student Laurel hails from Ezza in Ohaukwu Local Government of Ebonyi State.
In this interview, he shares his creative writing experiences and accomplishments with Deborah Uzoma.
Hello Benard, Good to have you here.
Congratulations on winning the 2024 ZODML Student Prize for Poetry.
Thank you so much. I’m glad to hear from you, too.
How do you feel to be the 2024 ZODML award recipient?
I’m overwhelmed with joy, and words can’t adequately express how I feel inward.
Winning the ZODML Poetry Prize is a dream come true, reminiscent of my 2022 victory in the Neptune Prime National Poetry Prize during my first year of university. History has repeated itself, with both prizes arriving at pivotal moments when I needed them most.
This ZODML Prize holds special significance, as it has broadened my horizons through:things and environments, new people, contacts, Workshops and being featured as a guest poet at different poetry gatherings in Lagos, like the Lagos International Poetry Festival, LIP FEST 2024 and others.
What opportunities or experiences do you hope to pursue with this recognition?
Thank you for this question.
I’m eager to explore opportunities, particularly pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing abroad. This would allow me to immerse myself in Western culture and environment, enriching my writing and unlocking new possibilities. Additionally, I’m interested in collaborating with journals, magazines, and freelancing as a mass communication student to further hone my skills.
Briefly take us through a journey of your winning poem.
As a university student, I’ve faced Nigeria’s harsh realities: ups and downs and self-doubt,
I’ve equally listened to one of my friends complain of his struggles , their family’s breadwinner incarcerated, leaving them hopeless. Personally, I’ve grappled with self-doubt: “What if I fail?” As an introvert, I channel my observations and emotions into poetry.
For a poet, every moment is inspiration.
This mindset transformed my struggles into the winning poem, “Someday, I will Bloom Without Bleeding Into A Desert.”
What sparks your background and interest in poetry?
My background in poetry is amoebic in description. I mean, there was no line track except registering my voice, feelings, and thoughts on pages. I started writing poetry in secondary school when I wrote my first poem centring on love because two of my classmates were dating then. So, I used to watch them walk in pairs home after classes. One day, I wrote the poem titled, “If You Ever Leave”. One other girl, after reading the poem, took it home and never returned it till today. The next thing was a piece of love letter on my desk, which was not acknowledged. Again, the subsequent poem titled “Greedy Leaders” was directed to the politicians, which was largely circulated on social media then. It gave me the idea that I can communicate well in poetry.
My poetic journey took off, earning publications in international journals and magazines and winning notable prizes. For me, poetry is about self-expression, cultural exploration, and turning my passion into a profession.
You are studying Mass Communication as a varsity student. How do you balance academic assignments with creative pursuits?
People assume I am studying English and Literary Studies.
This is a simple but complex question because it’s not a bed of roses to be a student and creative at the same time.
But, I think my writing just happens. What doesn’t just happen is reading, especially contemporary works.
However, I sleep less than I should in order to find tranquillity at night. This is to say that I am a student during the day and creative writer at night.
It becomes a hurdle to exploit when I have to write and send my work out there and have voluminous assignments to do. In that case, I take a step at a time, scaling preference at the moment.
This is interesting to know. Do you have any favourite poets or literary influences? What inspires you ?
Yes. The madman must have a drummer inside the bush to dance in the middle of the road to the astonishment of the passersby.
Being a Nigerian in the era of political upheavals is enough inspiration. As a would-be social scientist, I look deeply into the environment within and outside of my body. And reading some poets in no particular order like Kaveh Akbar, Ocena Voung, Nome Patrick Emeka, Nwuguru Sullivan Chidiebere,
Romeo Oriogun, Chiwenite Onyekwelu, and Gospel Chinedu. These people have driving voices. And, some are my close friends.
From the reading of the poets you’ve mentioned, what’s your big picture for your creative works?
To answer your question, I currently have a completed manuscript and another in progress. I’m hopeful that the first one will be accepted for publication soon, as self-publishing isn’t financially feasible for me at this time.
And you just answered correctly .
Hahaha.(Chuckles)
Alright. Are there any literary festivals, workshops, or residencies you’d like to participate in?
Already, I have the EagleNest Book Club I attend. Probably because of my engagement. The Lagos festival is a big shot to participate in and one other residency outside of my shore in due course.
Do you have a blog or a website where your fans and lovers of literature can read some of your works?
Currently, I have some published poems online. My Facebook and Twitter(X) username is Romeo Ben Okechukwu.
One can simply google my name and read them while a blog becomes a later project.
Benard, I realised that your social media handles bear Romeo. Is it also part of your name or connected to your creative works?
Romeo is my nickname.
It originated from my first romantic poem, “If You Ever Leave,” written in secondary school. Interestingly, the poem was inspired by two classmates who were dating, and its creation coincided with our English and Literature teacher’s lessons on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
This nickname stuck and fueled my passion for poetry
Unfortunately, I no longer write love poems anymore except on rare occasions.
Finally , what advice would you give to aspiring student poets?
Yes. Just like the theme of the 2024 ZODML Poetry Prize reads: Hopefulness.
I want to inform aspiring students that the journey is a bitter-sweet one. I mean, joy cometh in the morning. Dare to persevere is to dare to win. I have gotten tons of rejections in my writing several times before this prize. It can not be rosy. If it becomes rosy, it becomes a toy for kids. Read. Read. Write. Read. Write. Read. Write. Because someday, you will bloom without bleeding into a desert.
Ben, Thank you for your time
It’s my pleasure.
PS: Deborah Uzoma, also known as Deborah Chinonyerem Uzoma, writes in the three genres of Literature and loves to document campus stories and lifestyle chronicles. She is the author of My Father’s House and Other Poems , her debut Children poetry collection.
