In-depth interview
Who is Chuma Mmeka?
Chuma Mmeka is just a simple guy who is determined to make a difference in history, taking it one step at a time. Chuma Mmeka is proudly Nigerian, with more than two decades life-living longevity experience. He is happily married and blessed with lovely kids.
Chuma Mmeka is a multi-faceted artist and activist with a background in psychology and in law. He is a corporate administrator and charity engineer with a voluntary verve to assist vulnerable African children. He opposes injustice and hates to pretend to press or please anybody.
In a nutshell, Chuma Mmeka is a programmed humanistic project in progress.
Tell us about the poetry scene in your country, as a fellow poet.
In my country Nigeria, poetry creativity and appreciation appears to me not to be what it used to. Because of population explosion and increased literacy, there is an inadequacy of recognitions and recognition platforms for budding talents unlike in the prime period of our Chinua Achebe, JP Clark, Wole Soyinka and their contemporaries. These in no small way affect the psyche of emerging good poets and their creativity.
Be that as it may, Nigeria's scenery is an amazing one to own. There's never a limit to the number of themes or concepts available for your imagination to tinker with. From our numerous natural resources, virgin and unravaged environments, to tourist sites that lie across several rivers, and reside atop mountains, in depths of valleys and on beds of green. Even with the posture of poverty and paucity of possibilities in the land, you will find ample inspiration for your work.
From our sheer large landmass and multi-ethno-religious population, to the relics of a regrettable past that includes slavery, colonialization, harmful traditional practices and civil war, there is so much to set your story on, whether in writing or in painting. I won't forget to mention plotcepts from our internal squabbles, and agitations against unity; or refuse to talk about the corruption that holds sway, or the fritting away of a people's commonwealth. I will not blind over the distrust between the leaders and the led, nor will I ignore the facts of the imminent dooms that dog us; and of the power play of men and women to conjugate fears and worries in the land.
All these tickle the imagination in a million different ways and contribute to make our poetry scene a rather unique one - a stage upon which background you can set a multiplicity of plays with different themes.
What influences your creativity? When and how did you get to be a poet?
I will answer the second part of your question first. Honestly, I don't know and can't say when and how exactly I got to be a poet. Maybe the talent is inborn; because it's always been there as far back as I can remember.
Though I didn't delve into public poetry practice or competitions (apart from representing my school and winning the Maryam Babangida Children’s Poetry Prize at thirteen), until after I had turned forty; I can remember vividly that at a time, when I was only seven years, I was made to present a flower bouquet to an August visitor, an Education Commissioner in my state. I was also required to say a few words of appeal to her on behalf of my fellow pupils.
Perhaps because I already knew the VIP lady and what her mission was; or because my teachers wanted to bring true their prophecies that I was going to be great - after seeing writings and drawings in my child’s scrapbook – I was selected over others to make the presentation. The teachers guided me in the poetic lines development; and my delivery on the ‘D’ day was so applauded that I gained right away, the self confidence and contacts that took me into children's television participation.
Besides, and before that presentation however, mother had always made me read from a variety of children's books and the bible at home. Her counsel was that regular reading and memorizing would help to sharpen my mind. So I can say now without fear of contradiction, that my mind was already poetic before I realized it and before any member of the public got to know about it.
Now, to the first part of your question. My creativity is mainly influenced by my environment, personal experiences, and demands of the moment. My poetry is for now, informed by a social activism mindset that stems mainly from private and social happenstances from my past and country.
As a young child, I seemed to have everything I needed, yet I refused to be happy, becoming rebellious in many ways. This was, as I now see, because of my parents' violent marital separation and my consequent vulnerability growing up with my mother. I abhorred the social circles she tried to create for me, just because their families were complete and they were always happy. Instead, I made friends at school and around the house, with some less privileged children who always seemed in need of help to be happy. Baffled by the segregations in life, I would oftentimes keep to myself, building notes and drawings that showed my displeasure. My poetry chapbooks "The Broken Home" and "Echoes of The Mind" (both by Adfinity Media 2015) are collected adaptations of those child and early adulthood notes of memories.
Tell us about your work as an actor in Nigeria. Act out a scene to us in word form
I can say that my acting career is fast gathering momentum. I may not be up there at the moment, but I'm working relentlessly to get to the very pinnacle of the industry.
Just like my writing (poetry) career, apart from a stint on national television as a child in primary school, and a couple of on-stage roles in my secondary school drama group in 1990, I didn't go into mainstream acting until 2014 when I struck my debut in Nollywood.
Since that debut in "King Akubueze" by SamGold Production (where I played challenging voicing and acting roles), I have featured in as many as fifty flicks which have done well both in the open market and on international cable television. However, the two Nollywood movies that first put me in the spotlight are "Beyond Beauty" (an action love hit by AndyBest Production) and the "Secret Palace Mission" (a royal action thriller by RichRock Production).
Act out a scene in word form? I don't know how easy that is going to be, but I will try. Here it goes:
My phone is ringing in an office. I am sitting and working at the desk. I glance about and take the still ringing device from under a sheaf of papers. I look at the screen, smile as I recognize the caller and put the handset to my ear “Hello Tendy” I say. I listen for some time still holding the phone to my ear. Impulsively, I stand, pace the space and then say “Yes sir, I understand. I can ...” Obviously interrupted, I pause again to listen, raise my head in thoughtfulness, and then nod vigorously. Next I say “It's okay. I agree sir. Just send me the e-mail first, and I will take it from there. I'm sure we can still beat the deadline, sir”. I listen momentarily again, inaudibly mutter something before putting the phone hand down. I stand quietly for some seconds clutching the phone hard and appearing to be deep in thought. Suddenly, I jolt, and begin to dance in excitement to no melody. After a moment, I stop abruptly and heave a sigh of relief before pumping a fist in the air. I smile wryly and exclaim “Yes! We made it! Let me get straight to work” before walking back to my desk.
Tell us something embarrassing that happened to you, or anything secretive that you have kept to yourself?
First, let me say that my life is like an open book, free for anyone to search or read. So there is nothing I will regard as a secret about me. If however there was something secretive at all that I have managed to keep to myself, you wouldn’t expect me to air it here; no one would. Indeed if I do, it would no longer then be a secret, will it?
But there is this embarrassing incident that did happen to me a couple of years ago and I don’t mind sharing it with you. It so happened that after an international writing project, our editor forwarded a review by my co-contributor in the project to be inserted in the Nigerian media. I was away on location shooting a film. Unfortunately, the detailed review that was sent to me was unsigned and without an author’s mark. Based on the exigency of the intended publication, I had instructed my new secretary before leaving for the rural film camp to promptly access my e-mail and to forward the said review to some pre-arranged media contacts. When she did not see a name on the material, and was unable to reach me on the film set, she inserted my name as author and forwarded same to the media contacts. When the publication went live, the error was discovered to my embarrassment. It took me time to explain myself and convince several persons that it was mistake. Though I finally got corrigendum in the media involved, I can hardly forget the incident.
What other arts are you involved in?
They would still be many if you take away poetry and acting. I draw, I paint, I sing. I am a graphic artist, a stylist and fashion designer. I read and write widely; I am into voicing, compering, photography, modeling, printmaking, interior decorations, confectionery and culinary arts. Currently, I am pursuing a short course in graphic animation, and have only just recently, released a series of innovative children’s books authored and illustrated by me.
Tells us about your other poems in BNAP
I have had my poems in the Best New African Poets Anthology from 2015 till date. I pray that I again merit an opportunity to be included in their next edition.
In 2015, I had three of my poems in the anthology. They include “A People’s Culture”, “My Ekpe Dance”, and “Once Upon A Christmas Day”. They each talk about a child’s experiences in the village for the first time during a festive period. The poems reveal a lot about the scenery, cultures and social interactions among the people of a traditional Igbo society during the annual mass return season.
In 2016, apart from my contribution to the group poem "Peaceful conflict in the land of Utopia", my main poem “Never Forget” made it into the anthology. The poem is a flashback to the carefree lifestyle of a hard-working, successful fun-loving bachelor, and the attendant regrets in mature life for a past foolishness.
I never thought of it as my best work ever, but that same poem “Never Forget” which I had submitted to the anthology was also simultaneously sent to a call by the Howard Harrington Foundation. This past August of 2017, the poem won me £1000 and the toga of ‘Emerging African Poet’ in a private art and poetry patrons' gathering organized by the foundation at Durban, South Africa.
I guess I owe the anthology editors and publishers a great deal of gratitude for publishing the work first.
What do you think can be done to improve BNAP anthology, in the future editions; marketing, editorial etc.
All I can note on this for now is the need for the anthology editors to develop an internationally acceptable standard screening process for all future entries/contributions to ensure that new editions are of improved quality and value across borders. I am also of the opinion that since the anthology sells commercially, for profit, a form of royalty should be paid to BNAP contributors in the future (even if it's just free copies) to appreciate their pains while the anthology continues to grow.
Thank you.
Who is Chuma Mmeka?
Chuma Mmeka is just a simple guy who is determined to make a difference in history, taking it one step at a time. Chuma Mmeka is proudly Nigerian, with more than two decades life-living longevity experience. He is happily married and blessed with lovely kids.
Chuma Mmeka is a multi-faceted artist and activist with a background in psychology and in law. He is a corporate administrator and charity engineer with a voluntary verve to assist vulnerable African children. He opposes injustice and hates to pretend to press or please anybody.
In a nutshell, Chuma Mmeka is a programmed humanistic project in progress.
Tell us about the poetry scene in your country, as a fellow poet.
In my country Nigeria, poetry creativity and appreciation appears to me not to be what it used to. Because of population explosion and increased literacy, there is an inadequacy of recognitions and recognition platforms for budding talents unlike in the prime period of our Chinua Achebe, JP Clark, Wole Soyinka and their contemporaries. These in no small way affect the psyche of emerging good poets and their creativity.
Be that as it may, Nigeria's scenery is an amazing one to own. There's never a limit to the number of themes or concepts available for your imagination to tinker with. From our numerous natural resources, virgin and unravaged environments, to tourist sites that lie across several rivers, and reside atop mountains, in depths of valleys and on beds of green. Even with the posture of poverty and paucity of possibilities in the land, you will find ample inspiration for your work.
From our sheer large landmass and multi-ethno-religious population, to the relics of a regrettable past that includes slavery, colonialization, harmful traditional practices and civil war, there is so much to set your story on, whether in writing or in painting. I won't forget to mention plotcepts from our internal squabbles, and agitations against unity; or refuse to talk about the corruption that holds sway, or the fritting away of a people's commonwealth. I will not blind over the distrust between the leaders and the led, nor will I ignore the facts of the imminent dooms that dog us; and of the power play of men and women to conjugate fears and worries in the land.
All these tickle the imagination in a million different ways and contribute to make our poetry scene a rather unique one - a stage upon which background you can set a multiplicity of plays with different themes.
What influences your creativity? When and how did you get to be a poet?
I will answer the second part of your question first. Honestly, I don't know and can't say when and how exactly I got to be a poet. Maybe the talent is inborn; because it's always been there as far back as I can remember.
Though I didn't delve into public poetry practice or competitions (apart from representing my school and winning the Maryam Babangida Children’s Poetry Prize at thirteen), until after I had turned forty; I can remember vividly that at a time, when I was only seven years, I was made to present a flower bouquet to an August visitor, an Education Commissioner in my state. I was also required to say a few words of appeal to her on behalf of my fellow pupils.
Perhaps because I already knew the VIP lady and what her mission was; or because my teachers wanted to bring true their prophecies that I was going to be great - after seeing writings and drawings in my child’s scrapbook – I was selected over others to make the presentation. The teachers guided me in the poetic lines development; and my delivery on the ‘D’ day was so applauded that I gained right away, the self confidence and contacts that took me into children's television participation.
Besides, and before that presentation however, mother had always made me read from a variety of children's books and the bible at home. Her counsel was that regular reading and memorizing would help to sharpen my mind. So I can say now without fear of contradiction, that my mind was already poetic before I realized it and before any member of the public got to know about it.
Now, to the first part of your question. My creativity is mainly influenced by my environment, personal experiences, and demands of the moment. My poetry is for now, informed by a social activism mindset that stems mainly from private and social happenstances from my past and country.
As a young child, I seemed to have everything I needed, yet I refused to be happy, becoming rebellious in many ways. This was, as I now see, because of my parents' violent marital separation and my consequent vulnerability growing up with my mother. I abhorred the social circles she tried to create for me, just because their families were complete and they were always happy. Instead, I made friends at school and around the house, with some less privileged children who always seemed in need of help to be happy. Baffled by the segregations in life, I would oftentimes keep to myself, building notes and drawings that showed my displeasure. My poetry chapbooks "The Broken Home" and "Echoes of The Mind" (both by Adfinity Media 2015) are collected adaptations of those child and early adulthood notes of memories.
Tell us about your work as an actor in Nigeria. Act out a scene to us in word form
I can say that my acting career is fast gathering momentum. I may not be up there at the moment, but I'm working relentlessly to get to the very pinnacle of the industry.
Just like my writing (poetry) career, apart from a stint on national television as a child in primary school, and a couple of on-stage roles in my secondary school drama group in 1990, I didn't go into mainstream acting until 2014 when I struck my debut in Nollywood.
Since that debut in "King Akubueze" by SamGold Production (where I played challenging voicing and acting roles), I have featured in as many as fifty flicks which have done well both in the open market and on international cable television. However, the two Nollywood movies that first put me in the spotlight are "Beyond Beauty" (an action love hit by AndyBest Production) and the "Secret Palace Mission" (a royal action thriller by RichRock Production).
Act out a scene in word form? I don't know how easy that is going to be, but I will try. Here it goes:
My phone is ringing in an office. I am sitting and working at the desk. I glance about and take the still ringing device from under a sheaf of papers. I look at the screen, smile as I recognize the caller and put the handset to my ear “Hello Tendy” I say. I listen for some time still holding the phone to my ear. Impulsively, I stand, pace the space and then say “Yes sir, I understand. I can ...” Obviously interrupted, I pause again to listen, raise my head in thoughtfulness, and then nod vigorously. Next I say “It's okay. I agree sir. Just send me the e-mail first, and I will take it from there. I'm sure we can still beat the deadline, sir”. I listen momentarily again, inaudibly mutter something before putting the phone hand down. I stand quietly for some seconds clutching the phone hard and appearing to be deep in thought. Suddenly, I jolt, and begin to dance in excitement to no melody. After a moment, I stop abruptly and heave a sigh of relief before pumping a fist in the air. I smile wryly and exclaim “Yes! We made it! Let me get straight to work” before walking back to my desk.
Tell us something embarrassing that happened to you, or anything secretive that you have kept to yourself?
First, let me say that my life is like an open book, free for anyone to search or read. So there is nothing I will regard as a secret about me. If however there was something secretive at all that I have managed to keep to myself, you wouldn’t expect me to air it here; no one would. Indeed if I do, it would no longer then be a secret, will it?
But there is this embarrassing incident that did happen to me a couple of years ago and I don’t mind sharing it with you. It so happened that after an international writing project, our editor forwarded a review by my co-contributor in the project to be inserted in the Nigerian media. I was away on location shooting a film. Unfortunately, the detailed review that was sent to me was unsigned and without an author’s mark. Based on the exigency of the intended publication, I had instructed my new secretary before leaving for the rural film camp to promptly access my e-mail and to forward the said review to some pre-arranged media contacts. When she did not see a name on the material, and was unable to reach me on the film set, she inserted my name as author and forwarded same to the media contacts. When the publication went live, the error was discovered to my embarrassment. It took me time to explain myself and convince several persons that it was mistake. Though I finally got corrigendum in the media involved, I can hardly forget the incident.
What other arts are you involved in?
They would still be many if you take away poetry and acting. I draw, I paint, I sing. I am a graphic artist, a stylist and fashion designer. I read and write widely; I am into voicing, compering, photography, modeling, printmaking, interior decorations, confectionery and culinary arts. Currently, I am pursuing a short course in graphic animation, and have only just recently, released a series of innovative children’s books authored and illustrated by me.
Tells us about your other poems in BNAP
I have had my poems in the Best New African Poets Anthology from 2015 till date. I pray that I again merit an opportunity to be included in their next edition.
In 2015, I had three of my poems in the anthology. They include “A People’s Culture”, “My Ekpe Dance”, and “Once Upon A Christmas Day”. They each talk about a child’s experiences in the village for the first time during a festive period. The poems reveal a lot about the scenery, cultures and social interactions among the people of a traditional Igbo society during the annual mass return season.
In 2016, apart from my contribution to the group poem "Peaceful conflict in the land of Utopia", my main poem “Never Forget” made it into the anthology. The poem is a flashback to the carefree lifestyle of a hard-working, successful fun-loving bachelor, and the attendant regrets in mature life for a past foolishness.
I never thought of it as my best work ever, but that same poem “Never Forget” which I had submitted to the anthology was also simultaneously sent to a call by the Howard Harrington Foundation. This past August of 2017, the poem won me £1000 and the toga of ‘Emerging African Poet’ in a private art and poetry patrons' gathering organized by the foundation at Durban, South Africa.
I guess I owe the anthology editors and publishers a great deal of gratitude for publishing the work first.
What do you think can be done to improve BNAP anthology, in the future editions; marketing, editorial etc.
All I can note on this for now is the need for the anthology editors to develop an internationally acceptable standard screening process for all future entries/contributions to ensure that new editions are of improved quality and value across borders. I am also of the opinion that since the anthology sells commercially, for profit, a form of royalty should be paid to BNAP contributors in the future (even if it's just free copies) to appreciate their pains while the anthology continues to grow.
Thank you.
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