No. 13 Bench Warmer Feature: Anthony Azekwoh
Self Portrait by Anthony Azekwoh
Anthony Azekwoh is a writer and artist from Lagos, Nigeria. He is a featured writer in our No. 13 issue Bench Warmer. We talked with Anthony about how he started writing and about the current unrest in Nigeria.
Tell me a little bit about yourself, where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. It's the only home I've ever known. I'm the eldest of three.
I saw on your Instagram that you are an artist too, when did you start drawing?
Compared to my writing, the drawing is a relatively new attachment. My laptop broke in late 2016, and while we were getting it fixed, I had to get my creative fix. And so, I got markers and pens, and some A4 paper and started drawing things I found interesting. From there, I kinda stumbled into this world.
How did you get into writing?
Oh, that was maybe seven years ago and it's something that's now murky in my mind. But, as a child, I loved books. Loved them with all my heart. So, it felt like a natural progression when I began writing, it felt natural, like it was meant to be. So, I guess how I got into writing is much the same with how got into breathing. It just happened, and to continue living, I have to continue doing it.
You have written five books, what is that writing process like?
Not very bright and perky. I try to get ideas out as fast and as hard as I can so I sit myself down to a strict work regiment. Something between 3,000 to 5,000 words a day. If I miss a day, the word count is added to the next day's. So, if I missed Monday's 3,000 words, for instance, Tuesday's count is going to be 6,000. If I miss three days in a row, I've made a rule to give up the whole project and look within myself and why I'm stalling. I haven't had to do that yet.
What do you do when you have writer's block?
Until this year, I don't think I ever experienced it. But, right now, I'm in this weird place where, for the first time in my life, I'm not writing as much and I'm painting and reading instead. Everything has its seasons, I think, and that's what I think is happening now.
What do you think of when you hear the phrase Bench Warmer?
Bench Warmer to me is synonymous with the underdog. That one figure who isn't on the main field, but is itching to get into the game, to really prove themselves.
What inspired your piece Homegoing?
Lagos, my home. It's been very rough recently with all that's happening. And it's a very strange feeling to love and also hate your home. Yes, it's very strange--that's what inspired it, maybe. That curious confusion, that double state.
Would you feel comfortable elaborating on what's going on in Nigeria and how it's effecting you?
Wow, it's really something, but the short form is this:
Years ago, a special unit was created in our police force to combat armed robbery. They were the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. SARS for short. The original idea was maybe something close to the American SWAT team--highly trained individuals who came at moments of absolute necessity. They didn't have to wear uniform or identification badges. They were the rogues to capture rogues. Over time, though, they began to turn on the populace, profiling people, especially youth, based on tattoos, iPhones, haircuts. Basically if they suspected you, they could arrest you, harass you, and on a number of occasions, kill you.
So, we've reached a point in our lives where we, as a people, are saying enough. That this simply can't go on. In Nigeria, we provide our own electricity, education, security, water, education and we asked the government to please stop killing us. In response, the government continues to kill us. Last Tuesday, unarmed protesters in Lekki Tollgate, near my home, were shot down by the army while they were singing the national anthem, holding the national flag. So, that's really what's been happening, an age in our country that we can't fully describe in all its horror.
You can find more about Anthony Azekwoh and his upcoming work on his website and Instagram www.AnthonyAzekwoh.com
