Wole Adedoyin interviews Chukwudi Umeano: Our Criminal Justice System Needs Fundamental Reform

WA: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A POET?
UMEANO: Chukwudi Umeano is a Nigerian Barrister-at-Law, Playwright, Poet, and Short Story Writer. His radio play was very highly commended in the 2007 BBC International Radio Playwriting Competition (now the International Audio Drama Competition). Although the culture of the Igbo people, where I come from, is deeply intertwined with poetry, my fascination with poetry began in my childhood after watching a praise singer perform at a cultural festival in my village. The creative use of words by the artist to convey his thoughts fired up my interest and, in the course of time, led me to the works of poets like Femi Osofisan, Niyi Osundare, Tanure Ojaide, Odia Ofiemun, Akin Lasisi, and others to hone my skills.

WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION?
UMEANO: I got the information on the internet.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION?
UMEANO: My advocacy for justice in all its forms.

WA: WHAT SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE DID YOUR POEM FOCUS ON?
UMEANO: Social justice.

WA: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR HUMAN RIGHTS THEME FOR YOUR POEM?
UMEANO: I come across violations of social justice often as a legal practitioner.

WA: CAN YOU SHARE THE INSPIRATION OR STORY BEHIND YOUR SUBMITTED POEM?
UMEANO: The casualties of the End Bad Governance peaceful protest in Nigeria in August 2024.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR POETIC STYLE OR APPROACH TO WRITING ON SOCIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES?
UMEANO: Subtle confrontation.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE WHILE WRITING YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS COMPETITION?
UMEANO: Thinking of how to represent the police through imagery without mentioning the word “POLICE.”

WA: HOW DO YOU THINK POETRY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA?
UMEANO: Through the creation of poetry clubs in primary and secondary schools, where fundamental human rights will be woven into poetry and taught.

WA: IN WHAT WAYS HAS PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMPETITION CHANGED OR BROADENED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON HUMAN RIGHTS?
UMEANO: Participating in this competition has broadened my perspective and strengthened my hope in human rights, seeing that many people are conscious of the diverse issues affecting human rights and are already confronting them.

WA: WERE THERE ANY OTHER POEMS OR POETS IN THE COMPETITION THAT PARTICULARLY MOVED OR INSPIRED YOU?
UMEANO: None.

WA: WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR POEM?
UMEANO: Our criminal justice system needs fundamental reform.

WA: HOW HAS THIS COMPETITION HELPED SHAPE YOUR GROWTH AS A POET AND AS A HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE?
UMEANO: By projecting my voice to a global audience, the competition has enhanced and encouraged my growth as a poet, no doubt.

WA: DO YOU BELIEVE POETRY HAS A UNIQUE ROLE IN CREATING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES? WHY?
UMEANO: Yes, because weaving human rights issues into poetry attracts a larger audience, especially the youth.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING WITH POETS FROM OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES?
UMEANO: Thrilling.

WA: WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND THE THEMES YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR POETRY?
UMEANO: Issues I encounter in my profession and outside my profession are reflected in my poetry.

WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR POETRY WILL HAVE ON BOTH AFRICAN SOCIETIES AND THE GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT?
UMEANO: It will encourage every right-thinking individual to contribute towards building strong institutions and remain alert to the antics of bad elements.

WA: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE USING POETRY AS A TOOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY?
UMEANO: By publishing a poetry collection and participating in poetry readings.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE ENTRANTS OF THIS COMPETITION?
UMEANO: Your effort will be appreciated, and your voice will be heard.

WA: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING POETRY PROJECTS OR PUBLICATIONS YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
UMEANO: I am presently working on a collection of poetry.

Chukwudi Umeano is a Nigerian Barrister-at-Law, playwright, poet, and short story writer. His radio play was very highly commended in the 2007 BBC International Radio Playwriting Competition (now the International Audio Drama Competition). In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he speaks on poetry, justice, and human rights.