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by Steve Ogah

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G21.net Established on the WWW 1996 Issue #461: ELEVEN YEARS OF EDGE G21 AFRICA STEVE OGAH, Nigeria G21 AFRICA X.N. IRAKI, United States JOIN OUR MAILING LIST. It contains more jokes than not. G21 E-MAIL NEWSLETTER G21 MIDEAST AJ, Kenya RECOMMENDED DAILY REQUIREMENT DANIEL PATRICK WELCH, United States SMOKE & MIRRORS ROD AMIS, G21 World HQ TABLOID HART THOMAS HART, United States VOX POPULI YOU, The World THE PREVIOUS EDITION MEET THE G-CREW! These are the people behind this jam-band every week. HOME TABLE OF CONTENTS & BACK ISSUES BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE WORLD'S MAGAZINE. WHY should you advertise here? We'll tell you. Send Page To a Friend We know you're lazy. Here's a button for a quick translation of this page. Just click on the flag for your country. You're welcome! OR TRY THIS GOOGLE TRANSLATION SERVICE.

G21 AFRICA - G21 INTERVIEWS: MORDI OCHI - Nigerian writer STEVE OGAH brings us an African poet of style to talk about his work as part of our anniversary celebration.

Steve Ogah

Lagos, NIGERIA - G21: MORDI, YOU ARE ALSO CALLED "STORY CHILD".PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THE NAME?

MO: To be honest, the name Storychild carefully evolved from the totality of my existence [until this] date. I have a habit of telling stories, right from a tender age. I have since developed that from what could be termed kindergaten-prose to a developing writing skill of prose and poetry. The name was simple coined from the act of telling stories. I am a child, because i believe in a creator who would forever be my supreme father.

G21: HOW HAS THIS NAME INFLUENCED YOUR WRITINGS?

MO: I would use the Shakesperean line: what is in a name? It has a power to make the bearer live according to its will. If I am a true Story-child then I must always have stories on my lips or on the tips of my pen, shouldn't I? Internationally it has brought me recognition as I did my first poe try performance soon after I created the name Storychild after my being. As long as I exist, stories would exist.

G21: THE PACET IS A STYLE OF WRITING YOU HAVE DEVELOPED.WHAT WAS THE IMPULSE BEHIND THIS DEVELOPMENT?

MO: Prior to developing this style has been the incessant worry of how to uplift the falling tower of poetry in the world today. As I had once read that with originality and creativity the world would forever remain young, I cleverly decided to bring to poetry a style, original and creative enough to rejuvenate the reading and writing concentration of poets and other literal writers. I just wanted to create an appeal with Pacet.

G21: HOW ARE YOUR READERS RESPONDING TO YOUR UNIQUE STYLE?

MO: I have won a British Council award with a poem written in this style and this tells me it certainly has a friends out there. They find it a piece of genius. My mentor, Dinesh Allirajah could testify to this.

G21: DO YOU THINK YOU CAN SUSTAIN THIS MODE OF POETRY OVER A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD?

MO: Well, if Beethoven didn't have to stop composing after he wrote or performed his first symphony and the world now shelved hundreds of his works then I think I still have lots to give to the world of poetry. I only hope that I have as many well-wishers as I have well-critics.

G21: YOU HAVE READ YOUR WORKS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IN NIGERIA. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN RECEIVED?

MO: I would congratulate greatly, Mr. Dinesh at this point. He has been a major contributor to my international performances in the UK. He has been encouraging me and he seriously believes I could do better. As for my home crowd, they are yet to approve of the prophet in his hometown!

G21: IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A PARTICIPANT IN THE CROSSING BORDERS WRITING PROJECT,WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST MEMORABLE THING YOU LEARNT?

MO: ... I still do hope something as literal and didactic as Crossing Borders is initiated once again.

G21: DO YOU THINK THIS PROJECT NEEDS TO BE SUSTAINED FOR A LONG TIME?

MO: Yes I do.

G21: WHAT SUSTAINS YOUR INTEREST IN WRITING WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE POPULAR VIEW THAT NIGERAINS RARELY READ POETRY?

MO: I thank God that I am a poet. The lines in me want to live their lives from the pages and most often from the mic. I am really not too bothered if I am read, I am only bothered when I don't write!

G21: WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

MO: I am involved in a broadcasting course at the moment. I want to develop my diction and learn how to speak right especially the British way. I have a great passion for broadcasting and I am presently staying tuned!

G21: BRIEFLY, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE PACET FORM OF POETRY YOU HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE LANDSCAPES OF WORLD LITERATURE.WILL IT BE WIDELY ACCEPTED?

MO: Like I earlier said, I have won awards with them and I would win more awards with them. And if the awards keep coming, then surely the audience would remain inquisitive and interested. I always wish?myself the best.

G21: WE THANK YOU FOR FINDING TIME FOR US AT G21.

MO: You are most welcomed.