Nigerian writer and Republic’s business and economics editor, Osione Oseni-Elamah, says it is disheartening that many people still refuse to listen to the communities most affected by climate change: ‘I came across an article about the Niger Delta floods in which residents attributed rising water levels to climate change and pollution. Disturbingly, several commenters dismissed these claims, questioning how villagers could understand climate change.’
First Draft is our interview column, featuring authors and other prominent figures on books, reading, and writing.
Our questions are italicized.
What books or kinds of books did you read growing up?
Growing up, I read everything I could get my hands on. My parents and school encouraged a strong reading culture. My primary school participated in a scholastic reading club, and every month, my parents allowed my sister and me choose a book each to share. My uncle also sent us boxes of books from the US during the summer, ensuring I always had something new to dive into. Enid Blyton’s works, particularly The Famous Five and The Secret Seven, were staples. These stories fuelled my imagination, and I often reenacted my own adventures while visiting my village. I also remember reading classics like Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and George Orwell’s Animal Farm before the age of ten. Though I didn’t grasp their broader meanings at the time, they opened avenues for me to engage in more adult conversations with my parents. I would say I was more of an avid reader as a child than I am now. Today, I mostly read romance novels for fiction and focus on academic papers or news articles.
If your life so far was a series of texts, which text (fiction or non-fiction) represents you at this moment?
At the moment, I feel most connected to Maame, the protagonist in Jessica George’s debut novel, Maame. While our life circumstances differ, I deeply relate to her journey of self-discovery in her 20s, navigating the complexities of independence and identity.
What’s the last thing you read and disagreed with?
I read a lot of news and often browse through the comments to gauge public sentiment. Recently, I came across an article about the Niger Delta floods in which residents attributed rising water levels to climate change and pollution. Disturbingly, several commenters dismissed these claims, questioning how villagers could understand climate change. It is disheartening to see so many people still deny climate change and refuse to listen to the communities most affected by it...
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