Tokunbo: Conversations with Nigerian Storytellers in the Diaspora

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Kola Tubosun is a Nigerian poet, linguist, writer, translator, publisher, and documentary filmmaker. He is the curator of YorubaName.com, the first crowd-sourced dictionary of Yoruba names. His published work include Esu at the Library, Edwardsville by Heart, and Igba Ewe: Translated Poems of Emily R. Grosholz. He recently directed Ebrohimie Road, a documentary focusing on the small bungalow on the campus of the University of Ibadan that played a strong role in the life and work of Wole Soyinka. In this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo podcast series, he discusses the role of translation in storytelling, and how it contributes to preserving and sharing Nigerian narratives globally. 

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Sefi Atta is a Nigerian-American novelist, short story writer, playwright, and screenwriter. Her books include Every Good Thing Will Come, A Bit of Difference, The Bead Collector, The Bad Immigrant, and Swallow which was made into a Netflix movie. Her upcoming book Indigene will be released in the summer of 2025. In this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo podcast series, she talks about telling a coherent story by conjuring the images in Lagos while living in the diaspora and the future of collaboration between the Nigerian literary community (at home and abroad) and Nollywood.

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Ikhide Ikheloa, fondly referred to as Pa Ikhide, is a U.S.-based Nigerian writer and literary critic who is known for sharing his strong opinions on Nigerian literature and politics on social media. During this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo podcast series, he talks about what it means to observe and write about Nigeria from abroad while striking the balance between critique and celebration in his commentary. 

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Yejide Kilanko is a Nigerian-born writer based in Canada. She has written novels, poetry, short fiction, and children’s picture books, including, Daughters Who Walk This Path, Chasing Butterflies, There is an Elephant in My Wardrobe, and Juba and the Fireball. Her short story, This Tangible Thing, was shortlisted for the 2023 Caine Prize Her latest children’s book is The Other Side of Small. In this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo Podcast Series, she explores her roots as a writer, the unique perspectives that Nigerians in the diaspora bring to African writing, and the role of fiction in empowering individuals and communities to confront difficult realities.

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Wole Talabi is an engineer, writer, and editor. His work includes two short story collections - Incomplete Solutions and Convergence Problems, and the critically-acclaimed novel, Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon. His short story, Unquiet on the Eastern Front was recently published by Subterranean Press. His work has been shortlisted for and received numerous awards. In this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo podcast series, he talks about how he blends Nigerian speculative elements and brings Yoruba culture into the wider universe of storytelling.

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Peju, ‘the Spark’ Abuchi is a poetic speaker, therapeutic wordsmith who believes in the power of curiosity to connect humans and communities. She is the author of A Poetic Odyssey of Proclamations: 31 Ways to Sow, Grow and Flow Goodness Into Your Life. 

Eniye Oshunbiyi is driven by a desire to help people discover their true selves so that they can consciously flourish. She has written a reflective journal: 91 Days to Self-Awareness which she describes as a sacred space to guide you towards deeper self-understanding.

In this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo Podcast Series, they share how they weave Nigeria's rich storytelling into their work and the unique challenges and opportunities of living in the diaspora and navigating different cultural identities.

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Leye Adenle is a writer and coach who is best known as one of Nigeria’s foremost contemporary crime thriller writers. He created the Amaka Mbadiwe series of books which includes Easy Motion Tourist, When Trouble Sleeps, and Unfinished Business. His short story, The House, was recently published in Lolwe Literary Magazine. In this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo Podcast Series, he talks about his unique origin story as a writer and how he brings Lagos to life when writing from the diaspora. He also manages to include his recipe for making the best suya. 

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Tope Fajingbesi Balogun is an accountant, writer and farm owner. Her recently released memoir, A Mile in My Shoes. Nurah’s Diary II  is a deeply personal account that explores the profound themes of grief, infertility, and identity. In this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo podcast series, she talks about using storytelling to foster dialogue across cultures and the joys and challenges of being a Black farm owner in the United States. 

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Helon Habila is an award-winning Nigerian novelist and poet. His books include, Waiting for an Angel, Measuring Time, Oil on Water, and Travelers. In this conversation with Jola Naibi for the Tokunbo podcast series, he talks about how the political situation in Nigeria influenced his writing and the challenges and advantages of being a Nigerian writer living in the diaspora. He also provides advice to aspiring Nigerian writers who want to explore their cultural heritage in their work.

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Yemisi Aribisala is a Nigerian essayist, food memoirist, and painter.  Her first book Longthroat Memoirs: Soups Sex & Nigerian Tastebuds won the prestigious John Avery Award at the 2016 André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards. In this conversation with Jola Naibi, for the Tokunbo podcast series, she covers the cultural richness of Nigerian cuisine, and the broader implications of writing about food from a diaspora perspective.