Ever since I can remember, I have always written and read everything I could get my hands on. I was that little girl who would read with a lantern when the lights were out. I was always the last one to leave the dinner table. Hours after the dishes were cleared and tables were wiped, I would still sit with my books at the dinner table. As I read, a fork would be in one hand twirling my food and my other hand gripping my book.
I loved stories. My parents fostered that dream and encouraged my 10 brothers and sisters and I to write, write, write. I remember our monthly writing competitions. We would showcase and read our best stories and would be awarded a prize by our parents. I guess, with 10 children, you have to find creative ways to entertain them.
I have written in happy, sad, uncertain, and even exciting times. I have always loved documenting my experiences and reliving them years later. Words are so empowering and have the potential to effect change and make a difference. I hope that as you enter my world, your life and dreams are affected and changed in a beautiful way.
What Inspired you to write this book
I was inspired by the magical childhood I had growing up in Eastern Nigeria in a close-knit, loving family of twelve (ten children). It was a very idyllic and vibrant culture to grow up in. We have beautiful stories in Africa. I grew up believing in the magic of our characters and fairy tales that I was privileged to learn about in an early age. Stories are traditionally passed on orally. Now more than ever, we have the explosion of digital/social media. I felt that it was so important to continue to tell stories interwoven with our mythology and to continue the art of preserving this important history. I wanted children, through AMAKA, to continue to believe in the magic of life.
What is your job?
I am a Cardiologist who further specialized in Electrophysiology. I take care of the heart’s electrical system. I love what I do and truly love connecting with my patients on a personal level. I like making people feel better. For me, medicine is a collection of journey and stories. We learn most through stories. It is amazing how much information I can gather that can potentially help people when I learn more about their lifestyles, choices, families, what they eat! So, stories are very important.
What is your favorite Music
I have a pretty eclectic taste in music. From classical to traditional. I love the newer African R & B singers but I also enjoy high life music. As long as it has a nice beat, I can pretty much swing to it
What is your greatest accomplishment
I was very proud to be a physician at a young age, and do my training in cardiology and electrophysiology at prestigious institutions. My greatest accomplishment is being a mother. I love seeing how my children’s young minds reason and work. I feel privileged to be able to influence these humans to be meaningful members of the society and instill in them good values. They were actually my first critics. I would share my new stories with them and their excited faces were proof enough that I needed to share them with a wider audience. They would draw the characters and illustrate their vision of the stories for me and my husband, Walter. It is noisy, busy and fun in my house. Never a dull moment!
What are your hobbies?
I love to obviously write. I love singing. In my next life, I would sing all day long. I love travelling with my family. So far, I have been to UK, Italy, France, Monaco, Ulm in Germany, Mexico, Canada. I would love to visit more African countries and go to Asia. I also cook a lot.
What is your favorite food
I love fried ripe plantains with akamu. I could eat it morning, afternoon, night if I could
