Dr Wilson Orhiunu, a creative writer and public speaker, works as a general practitioner in Birmingham UK, where he combines responsibilities of working in an urgent care centre and acting as service lead for an asylum seekers’ clinic. He is the author of the first online Nigerian pidgin English Dictionary, Babawilly’s Dictionary of Pidgin Words and Phrases Ngex.com, Sam Twenti Tiri, a Pidgin version of Psalm 23, that went viral. Other works of his include My Time, a poetry collection; Love Letters – Pidgin English Love Story, and The Naija Food Philosopher.
Dr Wilson Orhiunu is also a charity worker and researcher of Nigerian history. He has run many marathons and half marathons to raise money for various charities. He has received a Guinness Book of World Records Certificate for Participation for the most runners in a remote run – 37,966 – in the Virgin Money London Marathon held in April, 2020. He has also participated in many mountain treks across the world, from Wales to Kilimanjaro. Henry Akubuiro chatted with him on writings, medical practice and diverse engagements.
You have lived in the UK for over two decades as a general practitioner, how have you managed to navigate through the identity crisis that often plague many Nigerians abroad, who avoid their cultures? How do you represent Urhobo/ Nigeria culture abroad?
I moved to the UK in 1989 and it is true what they say. Frankly, you can take the Surulere boy out of Lagos but you cannot take the Surulere out of the boy. I didn’t experience any identity problems whatsoever, as I am Naija down to my bone marrow. Of course, I had to learn the British way of life and get on with people here but I have always kept in touch with events back home. With the advent of the internet in the 1990s, the world began a global village, and it was much easier to follow Nigerian news. I think I represent my culture through my writings.
You have written three books so far, how do you blend medical practice with writing?
The analogy I like to give is that I am like a car and creativity is my exhaust pipe. That is how I relax and unwind in the face of challenging times. There are other times I pick ideas with ‘my antenna’ and put them down. That is the spiritual side of writing.
You are the author of the first online Nigerian pidgin English dictionary, what prompted this and how did you achieve this feat?
I was pleasantly surprised to find a women doing such a hard job in order to support her family. I was working on a novel that had a lot of pidgin English phrases and slangs in it. So I started working on a glossary for the novel. Next thing, I was more interested in the glossary than the novel. That was how the dictionary was born. Around this time, I wrote Sam Twenti tiri, the pidgin English version of Psalm 23 which proved to be quite popular.
From My Time, Love Letters, and The Naija Food Philosopher, how has your writing evolved? What are the issues that dominate your curiosity?
My Time was an anthology of poems written in 2005. It deals with a lot of political themes and protests. I was angry with the state of Nigeria at the time, and it showed in the work. Love Letters is written mainly in pidgin English, and it is a romantic comedy. The Naija Food Philosopher is a collection of short stories celebrating Nigerian food culture. The next book, which is ‘under construction’, is entitled It Takes a Village. This chronicles my education in Nigeria and it will, no doubt, resonate with many people when it comes out.
To answer your question directly, I think I am getting better as a writer through years of practice. I have written quite a few essays and travelogues online, and I have received very good feedback.
What’s the greatest takeaway from your writing workshop held 2022?
In 2022, I did a presentation to the students at my alma mata, St Finbarr’s College Akoka, Lagos, during which I gave tips on writing. It did not centre on just creative writing. The main take home message was that – the dictionary is your friend. Lest I forget, The Naija Food Philosopher is available on Amazon.
You won an award last year. What was that about?
I was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Conqueror Award by the St Finbarr’s College Old Boys Association during the Rev. Fr Denis Joseph Slattery Memorial Lecture at the Eko Hotel Lagos on the 25th September, 2023.
What do you consider your most embarrassing moment as a Nigerian living abroad? And what’s the highpoint?
I recall walking up to board a plane ‘full chest’ after I heard an announcement which was a bit difficult to decipher. The lady at the counter asked, ‘Are you a first class passenger? Economy will board next’ As I walked back, I noticed people looking at me (laughs). Oh the shame!
The high points would be having my children and passing my first professional examination —the FRCS England.
You are very active on social media. Some of your ‘detractors’ describe you as a senior paparazzi? What lessons are behind your social media videos, especially coming from a medical doctor?
I have detractors? Hahahaha. I like to document aspects of my day from time to time. I enjoy writing engaging captions and interacting with friends for the fun of it. I post exercise videos most days to chronicle my exercise journey. This has inspired people to take up exercise and improve both their physical and mental health. I have received positive testimonials through the years.
Part of your medical practice involves helping asylum seekers, tell us about it.
Since the world began, people have always fled their nations when their lives are in danger. The stress of leaving a country suddenly and breaking ties with family and friends produces a lot of psychological trauma that has a negative impact on health. Stress opens the door to a multitude of ailments. Part of my job is to provide medical services to this vulnerable group.
You are given to climbing mountains, how much of this is for adventure or otherwise?
I am far from a mountain climber. I walk up the mountains through paths. Climbing is much more difficult. I love seeing nature and walking, especially in areas of outstanding natural beauty. This quest took me to Kilimanjaro Tanzania in 2005 and the Chappal Waddi on the Mabila plateau range in Taraba State Nigeria in 2022. It is purely for adventure and inspiration.
You are also involved in marathons, what’s the experience being like since you are not a professional athlete?
I have run the Lagos City Marathon twice. The main experience is the Third Mainland Bridge. You feel as if the bridge is growing longer the more you run. I am a fun runner so I know I will never win as the professionals do the 26.2 Miles in about 2 hours 15 minutes. I take my time as I am not naturally fast over long distances. There is a lot of fatigue and pain towards the end but the finish line at Eko Atlantic is rewarding.
Charity work is part of your humanitarian services, what prompted a life of giving? A trending video on YouTube shows you and your friends helping a female Keke rider in Lagos financially, why the choice of this driver?
The culture in the UK is to raise money for a charity when you run a marathon. When I did my first London Marathon in 2004 I raised money for a UK Charity called Sense. I later decided to raise money for the Home of God’s Grace Orphanage Ikorodu in later races.
With regards to the Keke driver called Amaka, I was intrigued during a chance meeting at a motor park and I did an interview with her for my facebook page. Friends watched it and were keen to bless her, so I collected the money which came to over a million naira, and she was able to pay off the hire purchase for her keke.