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Poet Salim Yunusa performs on stage
By Munyal Markus Manunyi
Can you please tell us about yourself?
My name is Salim Yunusa. I’m from Kaduna State, Nigeria. I’m a graduate of Urban and Regional Planning from ABU Zaria.
I founded a literary organisation, called Poetic Wednesdays Initiative and I’m the editor in chief of Labarai.NG, a media organisation that disseminates news and information in Hausa.
I’m a translator, a bilingual writer and a literary activist, among others
What is the inspiration behind the formation of Poetic Wednesday? And what do you aim to achieve by founding it?
Poetic Wednesdays Initiative is a movement that came about naturally. We were just kids having fun online with words and then we saw the impact we were making; teaching and inspiring young adults to write and appreciate poetry. We then strategized and organized ourselves, expanding our programs from more than just a hashtag online to fully fledged offline programs that include book chats, open mics, mentorship series, creative writing workshops among others. We want to incubate and hatch many readers and writers under our wings. We’re so far active in 5 northern states and are arguably the largest youth-led literary organisation in Northern Nigeria.
In the near future, we see ourselves turning into a publishing house that aims to give voice to the voiceless and empower the underdogs. We see ourselves leaving our positive imprints – both physical and virtual – across many states in Nigeria with quantifiable results in promoting creative writing and literary activities nationwide.
You attended a programme in Yobe recently about TED, briefly tell us about it please?
When I received an invite from the organizers, I couldn’t believe my ears. I thought I didn’t have any story to tell or any idea worth sharing. I had to double check and see if it wasn’t a mistake. Alas, it turns out that it was meant for me. I thought, “So, Salim that has a folder of TEDx speeches will now be on one of the stages.” That’s major, for me.
I have been to Yobe last year for the Yobe Peace and Arts Festival and I had an amazing time. The people were warm and accommodating and the town was cozy and nice. I started looking forward to going back to meet my friends.
To choose a topic, I didn’t have to do soul-searching; I thought I should talk about things I was passionate about, which I did. I talked about culture, commercialization and content creation, which is something that I have been pushing these past few years. I’m waiting for the YouTube link of my performance to see whether I did well.
After the event, it was all about networking and enjoying the moment. I have to appreciate each and every team member of the TEDXPOMPOMARI for their effort to see everything goes according to plan and for the love I’ve received from my family and friends.
Who are the brains behind the establishment of TEDX?
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to ‘ideas worth spreading.’ Originally a 4-day conference on Technology, Entertainment, and Design. It is now a global stage for the world’s leading thinkers
and doers to curate an environment of sharing and igniting curiosity. TEDx events are independent, local, and licensed conferences. These local events have become a truly international phenomenon,
taking place in over 130 countries. With its two annual conferences, video website, TED initiatives and community projects, TED is now a global platform, and a movement focused on meaningful change through the power of ideas.
Attendees have called it “the ultimate brain spa” and “a four-day journey into the future.” The diverse audience of CEOs, scientists, creatives, philanthropists is almost as extraordinary as the
speakers, such as Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Frank Gehry, Paul Simon, Sir Richard Branson, Philippe Starck and Bono. Today, over 500 talks from past TED conferences can be viewed online at TED.com
Why is it named TEDX POMPOMARI?
It’s actually an interesting question, because many people keep asking what Pompomari is all about.
Pompomari is a community under Maisandari Ward in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State. It is in the northern part of the city, with a community of diverse ethno-religious settings and a population of over 5,000 inhabitants. Though a small area, Pompomari holds historic relevance in the city, having existed for over half a century since before the creation of Yobe State. A major landmark in the suburb is the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, the only polytechnic in the entire state, with students drawn from all over the 17 local government areas of the state. This community has hosted over 2,000 internally displaced persons at the Pompomari IDP camp during the peak of the Boko Haram crisis. The community has bred some of the finest individuals contributing to the growth and development of the city, in academics, civil service, politics and governance, private sector, innovation and technology, research and development e.t.c.
TEDxPompomari is the first of its kind in Yobe State, a town that has suffered a decade of insurgency and bedeviled with myriads of social issues.
TEDxPompomari aims to trigger
innovation in all corners of these issues in a local and global context.
Through the theme, Forge Ahead, TEDxPompomari aims to showcase the growing situations and circumstances that affect our lives, shape our world and allow us to come back stronger and resilient in the face of adversity and challenges. By using a trans-disciplinary lens, a variety of systems and subjects will be explored, ranging from innovation and technology, arts and creativity, youths and security, business and entrepreneurship, medical and health, etc. Shaped by their incredible stories and ideas, speakers will explore paradigms that will inspire, empower, and motivate participants to embrace new perspectives.
The “x” in TEDx means it is an independently organized event, meaning once a group applies for a license and they get it, they can organise their own independent event.
What did they stand to achieve by organising this recent event you attended?
Although I believe I’ve touched on this in my previous answer, I believe the organizers came together to create an event where participants are challenged to communicate their passions in an exciting and engaging dialogue. TEDxPompomari allowed speakers and attendees to digest and debate the talks and encourage the exchange of ideas and information amongst all participants.
They achieved this by showing the resilience and the enthusiasm of the youth in Yobe state.
Do you think their aim was achieved?
I believe so, yes. The participants, who came from Yobe & Damaturu, left inspired by the speeches. There was also a segment of the program where the participants engaged with some Mandela Washington Fellows to learn more about the fellowship and other fellowships. We all learnt, networked and left Yobe richer in knowledge and network than we arrived.
What was the feeling like standing in front of a large crowd airing your views?
It was a humbling moment. I have stood in front of a crowd bigger than that, but to be on a TEDx stage felt different. I also felt strong because I felt like I wasn’t alone up there; I was accompanied by my family and friends. So, I am humbled.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now as a writer?
I see myself as an established and published writer with prose and poetry collections in both English and Hausa Languages. I see myself teaching, inspiring and motivating young people to read and write through Poetic Wednesdays Initiative.
What’s your advice for the young writers who want to make it into the literary world?
Don’t rush. Read and learn lots of works. Take it slow and trust the process. Find a mentor & grow. Don’t be in a haste to be published. Don’t allow praise to get to your head. Find your niche and make your voice distinctly heard.
Would you like to extend your regards to five most loving friends using this interview forum?
My warmest regards to Nymarh, Kabir Musa, AB Wordsmith, Karofi, Ibrahim Disaster & YSB.
