Meet Boniface Chukwuma Anyanwu, A Lecturer, Writer, Author And More
ON SUI today, our special guest of honor is a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. He is a man who has served in various capacities within the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Delta State chapter. As a writer, he commands words with a beautiful use of language. Let’s journey with him as he shares his challenges, wins, and more.
Question:
Please, can you briefly tell us about yourself?
Answer:
I’m Boniface Chukwuma Anyanwu, more commonly known in academic circles as Chukwuma Anyanwu.
Question:
You have been an active member of ANA Delta, please, can you give us a brief introduction how the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) Delta came to be and some of the International conferences you have attended?
Answer:
ANA DELTA came into existence in 2002 through the efforts of Prof. G. G. Darah and Prof. Sam Ukala who became the first chairman. In that same year 2002, it hosted the ANA international convention being the first state chapter to do so in the history of the Association, to host a convention in the year of its formation. I’ve attended many conventions but can’t give the years right off. I was in ANA Imo in 2004, Uyo, Ekiti, twice, Abuja, kaduna, Niger, Zamfara etc
Question:
Can you share a brief overview of your journey as a lecturer and writer, highlighting your areas of expertise and interests?
Answer:
Well, I actually had no plans to go beyond primary school education, having lost my Dad at the end of the Biafra war. My elder brother wrote common entrance exam mid 1970s and passed but it was sold to someone else because there was no money to train him. When my cousin got the information he was angry at my mom for not consulting him before the common entrance result was given out. He now told my brother to rewrite the common entrance and by then I was already in primary 6, so he asked me to write well. So, both of us wrote and passed. That’s how come we both studied at Emmanuel College, Owerri. That’s the turn around in my academic life.
Pivotal Moment and Influences
Question:
What was a defining moment in your life that set you on your current path, and how did it shape your career and writing?
Answer:
I had a beautiful childhood, full of village adventures and discipline. The training belonged to everyone and so was the discipline. These helped to shape my values and my mother was a God sent among women. I relocated to Lagos after secondary school where I did all kinds of odd jobs, including working as a gateman at some point. Every effort to get a job was futile as prospective employers would take one look at my WASCE and rebuff me, saying I should go back to school or that I was not going to last on the job before going back to school. This was frustrating but it’s prophetic as it turned out. Eventually I wrote JAMB and got admitted to the university of Ibadan to study Theatre Arts in late 1980s.
Question:
How did your upbringing and background influence your values, interests, and career choices?
Answer:
My journey into writing was begun as early as secondary school. Had my first novel in the school titled “My best Enemy” which never saw the light of the day having been lost by the person I gave it to help me go through. I wrote many poems and short stories as well. My writing peaked at the university through offering creative writing courses and related ones. I was and still am a voracious reader so I kept writing. However, publication wasn’t forthcoming for obvious reasons. It was not until 2004 when I won the maiden edition of the Tess Osonye Onwueme’s prize for drama via the ANA DELTA CHAPTER, with the manuscript of Boundless love, that I argumented the money and got published. Since then, it’s been forward ever…
Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Successes
Question:
What achievement or milestone are you most proud of, and what did you learn from the experience?
Answer:
My achievements are not for me to talk about. If there are any, they should speak for themselves. However, I get uplifted whenever I get opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face. I’m a product of collective benevolence so it gives joy to reciprocate. The message that anyone can learn from my experience is that everyone has an opportunity if he’s willing. You are your own limitations. I enjoy the quotation from Robert Browning, I hope I’m right, that the reach of man must exceed his grasp or what is Heaven for? Put simply, Heaven helps those who help themselves
Passion and Purpose
Question:
What drives your passion for teaching and writing, and how do you see your work making a positive impact?
Answer:
I enjoy teaching, writing and reading. It’s fun and you can see me in virtually all my works if you know me. As for the impact of my works, those will be assessed by others but I do believe that people enjoy my works though it’s tough to sell books in this country. It’s not easy so one is writing for the joy of it. I’ve published in all the literary genres of prose, poetry and drama.
Question:
What core value do you hold dear, and how do you incorporate it into your work and daily life?
Answer:
My values are to help guide people aright. Family is everything. Truth resides in the family so I tell my children, biological and otherwise, that if you must lie, and you shouldn’t, it must not be to family because that’s why your support system lies, your family. I try to uphold the truth and integrity as much as possible. Nothing lasts forever. My philosophy growing up borne out of learning to fend for myself is, he that’s down, needs fear no fall. To that effect, I don’t expect much from people to guide against disappointment. I hope not to receive favour and it comes as a surprise rather than disappointment.
Future Plans and Messages
Question:
What exciting projects or goals do you have upcoming, and how do you see them aligning with your passions and values?
Answer:
My future plans are to get to the peak of my career and see how I can mentor those close enough and willing to be mentored. I discovered that not everyone who clamours for help really needs it.
Question:
What message would you like to share with our audience through this interview, and what hope or inspiration do you wish to impart?
Answer:
My head is full of stories yet untold, experiences, to be shared. I’m looking forward to the opportunity, God helping me to actualize that.
Jah bless and guide. One love.
