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By Tosin Ajirire
UK-based Nigerian writer, financial crime consultant and corporate guru, Tolu’ A. Akinyemi, is in celebratory mood. For him, joining the illustrious rank of authors with 20 published works is a thing of joy.
The multiple-award winning Nigerian writer who writes in the genres of poetry, short stories, essays, and children’s literature, was in Ado-Ekiti. He studied Economics at Ekiti State University, formerly known as University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD). He holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management from University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
Apart from being a financial crime consultant, Akinyemi is equally a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), with extensive experience working with leading investment banks and consultancy firms. He also sits on the board of many organisations even as he emerged co-founder of Lion and Lilac, a UK-based arts outfit.
Akinyemi comes across as a craft master and prodigious storyteller whose books are full of wits and wisdom. He indeed has a knack for weaving words and ideas in a quick and creative way.
The author released his first collection of poems, Dead Lions Don’t Roar to critical acclaim in September 2017. Aside inspiring many with his books, he has taken his poetry to the global stage, performing at many events including headlining Great Northern Slam, Havering Literary Festival, Crossing The Tyne Festival, and Feltonbury Arts and Music Festival. Through these performances, Akinyemi supports business leaders, aspiring authors and people of all ages who are interested in reading and writing. And from the proceeds of his books, he has donated to charity thereby making a difference in the lives of the less privileged.
Akinyemi’s 20th book, The Morning Cloud is Empty, which was released globally on Wednesday March 1, 2023, is an exploration of the inner world of man, emotions and the heart, while also taking a look at climate and human crises. The collection lays bare the poet’s varying musings with sharp and deliberate words – lines peppered with poetic riches. The themes explored by the poems are many, but one thing ties them together – the poet’s intuitive ability to vividly dissect each idea.
In this interview, Akinyemi opened up on creative writing, life in the United Kingdom, and what he misses most about Nigeria.
How did your journey into creative writing begin and who were those writers you looked up to while growing up?
My journey into creative writing started with the passion I developed for reading books. My father studied English and Literary Studies at the prestigious University of Ibadan, and that meant we had an abundance of books in the house. During my teenage years, I used to write screenplays and did a lot of journalling. There were several authors who inspired me while growing up like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Charles Dickens, D.O Fagunwa, Cyprian Ekwensi, Kola Onadipe, Onuora Nzekwu and Michael Crowder, amongst many others. However, I only venerated their works and never knew I was going to be a published author someday.
How do you derive inspiration to write, and what actually inspired your first anthology, Dead Lions Don’t Roar?
Inspiration for me comes from human experiences. A writer who writes about the human experience will always have an abundance of things to write about, as the issues bedevilling humankind are unending. Some of the inspiration for my books came from my early morning exercises. Just connecting with nature is always a good place for a writer to fuel their engine of creativity. At other times, the stillness of the dark nights has been building blocks for what became published works.
Regarding the inspiration for Dead Lions Don’t Roar; prior to 2017, I have been writing poems and essays for over 10 years and it looked like the perfect time to have my first published work. I received great encouragement from friends and family, which led to the birth of Dead Lions Don’t Roar, a collection of inspirational poetry.
What were your initial challenges when you started writing and how did you overcome them?
Writing comes with a lot of vulnerabilities, because the moment you expose your ideas to the world, then you should be ready for either praise or criticism. However, my dream was to write books that people would pick up and say Tolu’ Akinyemi wrote this. Finding my unique voice in the written word and in my poetry performances has helped me to defeat the imposter syndrome in great measure.
Some writers drink, smoke or even have sex for inspiration. What do you do before writing?
I do not follow any particular ritual before writing, as some of my writings have come from a place of spontaneity, like a man bewitched by unseen forces. I stopped drinking (red wine) long ago and I barely know what a cigarette looks like. From now on, I’ll pay more attention to sex before writing. Maybe it would lead to something breathtaking (laughs).
Some of your anthologies come with similar and weird titles such as Dead Lions Don’t Roar, Dead Dogs Don’t Bark, and Dead Cats Don’t Meow. What’s your fascination with death and animals?
The poetry series which I tagged “collections of poetic wisdom for the discerning” series is a call to action. To do what you can, while you can. And the titles have fulfilled their aims spectacularly, both with their impact and the acceptability within the marketplace. Weird as the titles are, they help the reader to reflect deeply that it’s important to roar, bark and meow while the opportunity is there to do so.
Your poetry, Never Marry a Writer seems subjective and judgmental. Why do you think people should avoid marrying a writer?
Writers weave webs of words and draw inspiration from fictional and real characters. So, whoever gives a writer grief will get pain in equal or greater measure. I think it’s foolhardy for anyone to go into battle with a writer, as there is always that inclination for writers to observe, recount and document history. And you could end up being the villain in a writer’s story. So, it’s more of a reminder to the ignorant that the pen is mightier than the sword, as alluded to by the English author, Edward Bulwer-Lytton.
You are also an author of children’s literature. What’s the transition like from writing for adults to writing for kids?
I think being a father of two young children has helped my transition into writing for kids. To write for children, it’s pertinent to think like a child, understand them and write in the language that’s easily comprehensible for them.
How do you handle writer’s block if and when it comes?
In one of two ways, I keep writing whatever comes to mind and come back to edit it later, or I take time off whatever I am writing either by going for a walk or engaging in other activities.
Has being a creative writer opened doors for you or shut doors on your face?
Being a creative writer has opened many doors for me and my talent has taken me to places I could never have imagined. My books have been read the world over and for this, I am very grateful.
Some writers are famous but not rich. Is creative writing sustainable for you?
Creative writing is not so sustainable for me at the moment. However, I have a day job working within the United Kingdom’s financial services sector. I love working within the financial crime compliance space and even when writing comes with its riches, I would still love to keep working in my profession and growing in my chosen career path. The dream is to get to the pinnacle of my career.
You reached a milestone with your latest collection of poems and 20th published work, The Morning Cloud is Empty. Could you give us an insight into the work?
The Morning Cloud is Empty means so much to me. Indeed, words cannot express how grateful I am to have attained this milestone. The collection explores climate crisis and human crisis. The issues of climate change are a global phenomenon that affects us all. In recent times, the world has been encumbered with crisis on so many fronts like the cost-of-living crisis, climate crisis, biting inflation and soaring interest rates. The poems speak to some issues affecting us all.
What has been your greatest moment as a writer, spoken word performer, and essayist?
Performing to over 600 people at the Playhouse Whitley Bay, North East England is truly an unforgettable experience for me. The roar that permeated the venue that night still rings aloud in my head from time to time.
How does your job as a financial crime consultant and anti-money laundering specialist reflect in your writings?
I have written a couple of financial crime-related poems in the past, which were inspired by my career as a financial crime compliance consultant. Also, in my essays, I share tips that could be beneficial to up-comers who are looking to build a career or excel in the workplace. I think the major takeaway from my job is to practise what I preach. You cannot claim to be a financial crime compliance consultant and have no integrity. That would be a fallacy.
You’ve performed your poetry on stage on some occasions. What have been the responses?
I am a seasoned performance poet and the reaction from the crowd is always a joy. Be it in London, Manchester, Newcastle or Roccagorga, Italy, I always leave my fans wanting to hear more of my work. And I get positive feedback from my audience from time to time on how they feel about my performance.
You’ve had your poems translated into Greek. Why Greek and not French, a language with wider appeal?
I had no hand in the translation of my work into the Greek language, as it was a poem that I had written about former Manchester City and Barcelona FC star, Yaya Toure that was translated into Greek and published in a national newspaper in Greece. However, I have had one of my children’s literature books translated into French. But this has not been published or scheduled for publication yet.
You’ve been in the United Kingdom for many years. What do you miss about Nigeria?
I miss Lagos traffic and the hustle and bustle of the city. I also miss attending Owambes without a shadow of doubt.
As a concerned writer, how do you give back to society?
I supported Age UK’s Northumberland loneliness campaign with a donation to support older people in the society. Also, my publishing imprint, The Roaring Lion Newcastle, sponsors several literary causes and organisations in Nigeria and other countries. From time to time, I also donate books to good causes that I believe in.
You are an ardent supporter of Chelsea Football Club that is currently not doing well in the premier league, why place your bet on Chelsea and not any other club?
I have been an ardent supporter of Chelsea Football Club for close to two decades now, and the idea is to keep supporting the club through thick and thin. Football is all about showing loyalty to your club through the good and the bad. Chelsea FC – The best football club in London (no apology to the North London boys) will win the league again in due season.
What’s next after The Morning Cloud is Empty?
I have a collection of inspirational essays for teens and young adults, and a memoir forthcoming. Also, I have plans to publish either a full-length novel or my second collection of short stories. But for now, I would bask in the euphoria of publishing my 20th work, as this is a milestone that’s worthy of celebration.
