National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
In this interview with Ivorian born African American writer and former banker, Odile Koudu, she bears her mind during her first visit to Nigeria for the Nigeria Media award for her book” The Blessing Legacy” .She expresses her love for Nigeria music and writings. According to a release, the Ivorian Best Author of the Year’ for her novel, “The Blessing Legacy” is a nine-time award-winning author courtesy of the empowering message of family, faith, and belief as was enshrined in her book which has won her acclaim in the US and abroad since the novel debuted 2012. EXCEPTS:
Q: Congratulations for winning the Nigerian Media Merit Award organized by. What does the award mean to you?
A: Thank you! It’s truly an honor and I’m excited that the book is making such an impact.
Q: You came all the way from America to collect the award, was it worth it?
A: Yes, it was definitely worth it. I really enjoyed the ceremony.
Q: Have you ben to Nigeria before? And were there surprises for you?
A: This was my first visit. It was definitely a surprise. It was a beautiful experience and everyone was so nice and welcoming.
Q: What Nigerian food or dishes goes well with your system? Which one of them would you be cooking for your friends when you return back to America?
A. Vegetables with fried fish and plantain fufu and fried rice. As a quick learner I try for my friends.
Q: Your book talked so much of resilience…are you that tough? Do you think females should be that tough? One taught Ladies should be you know….?
A. I believe that everyone should live their truth. What my dad taught me was true for me because it resonated within my heart. Resilience is strength and it doesn’t matter whether you’re male or female. I think everyone should have a degree of resilience.
Q: What do you think is behind the huge success your book has enjoyed across the divide?
A. I believe it’s been the inspiration behind why I wrote the book which was to honor my dad and to also share how he made an impact on my life. I think people connect with its message.
Q: Which African and Black- American writers do you love? Did they influence your writing?
A: Quite a few inspired me such as Bernard Dadie’ who was an Ivorian novelist,
Nigeria Author China Achebe who got a copy of my book and prophesied over it before he passed. I never got a chance to meet him in person but just on the phone. And,
Nigeria Author Wole Soyinka.
Q: What about Ivorian writers and artists?
A. I love most of the Ivorian artists specially DJ Arafat, who left so soon.
Q: Tell us about other great francophone greats you duff your hat for their music?
A. I adore the Nigeria music.
Q: Do you prefer to write in English or French? And which literature actually interest you more-English or French?
A: In English, I honestly read in English even though French is my first language.
Q: WANT TO COMMENT ON THE BLACK ON BLACK VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA?
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