Here with us today is Dr. Akunna James-Ibe, a medical doctor and an alumna of the University of Nigeria Essayists’ Group (UNEG). She once served as the Director-General of UNEG during her undergraduate days. Even as a doctor, she continues to “tread where swords fear to,” armed with nothing but a ballpoint. With a pen […]
Category: Interviews
New UNEGites and Writing
Reading well-written works inspire me to keep writing. Feedback inspire me to keep writing – Akunna James-Ibe
I just rather see them as self-reflecting and self-checking topics for the country and the people. So for example, we say we are the Giant of Africa, how and why? We say we are a loving and hospitable people, how and why? We say we know where we are going and the reason for the existence of the country, how and why? Generally, it is a way of providing a reliable space where people can genuinely, not only bring out to the surface, truth, but also an innovative and transformative experience even for every writer that takes part.
I have applied and written thousands of essay writing competitions and scholarships and I have received numerous rejections, disappoinment and also acceptances. I got sad each time I received rejections and disappoinment but I don’t allow the sadness to weigh me down. I always console myself with one word,”This organization just rejected a star, but they won’t stop me from shinning.”
What creativity is, really, is thinking unconventionally and generating unconventional—or, at least, novel—ideas.
“It’s not easy at all. It starts from my own mindset. While some writers write because of the passion or as a hobby, I do it as a duty. The way I map out time for my academics, my official tasks and so on, is the same way I map out time for Essay writing and follow it as a duty.” Find out how Evans-Ibe Savictor, S., a multiple award winning essayist, manages to combine essay writing with his academic pursuits and other extracurricular activities.
University of Nigeria Essayists' Group 