Wole Adedoyin interviews Samuel Olomu: Unearthing Issues and Crafting Solutions: My Passion for Writing

WA: TELL US ALL ABOUT YOUR WRITING BACKGROUND - WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN, WHAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY WRITING:
OLOMU: Samuel Olomu is my name and I am a writer and a journalist. I am an independently motivated writer whose reports, write-ups and commentaries has been featured in Local and International Newspaper Publications while still being a student of Lagos State University. My write-ups have been published in Punch Newspaper, The Guardian (Nigeria), BusinessDay (Nigeria), Nigerian Tribune, The Cable, Premium Times, etc., and ITWeb, a Business Technology Media Company based in South Africa where he currently works as a Business-Technology correspondent. I also work as a Lifestyle Journalist with BraPerucci Africa, a media outlet based in Ghana.
I have over the years garnered experiences that set me apart in the field of journalism as evidenced in my numerous publications above. I have also reported over diverse areas of interest, Including technology, Lifestyle and Entertainment, Climate Change and Sustainability amongst other areas. In addition, I also write poems and essays on various themes and I have appeared on National and International Anthologies including, the Society of Nigerian Writers Anthologies, Ibadan Book Club Anthologies, World Literary Forum for Peace and Human Right Anthology, amongst others.
Also, I founded and championed a media organization in Lagos State University known as LASU Conscience, a media organization known for giving out good and verifiable contents to students of Lagos State University. At LASU conscience, I lead over 50 writers and Editors across Eight Faculties of Lagos State University and edit their drafts on a wide area of subject.

WA: WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT A PIECE OF WRITING?
OLOMU: I am particularly excited by a piece of writing if it achieves the aim(s) for which it is written. If it is written for the purpose of humor, if it achieves that purpose, I am resolved. If the piece is written to correct a defaulting system and it actually does that, I am also resolved. The excitement is not complete if the purpose is not met.

WA: WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS AND WHY?
OLOMU: My favorite writer is Chinua Achebe. The reason why I love his writing is that he reflect Africa in this writings.

WA:  WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW WRITER STARTING OUT?
OLOMU: My advice for any writer just starting out in the writing space is that, there is no shortcut in this space. You need work and more work. You need to be very consistent and you also need to continue showing up on stages.

WA:  WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?
OLOMU: Identifying problems and solving them through my writings are some of the fuels that drives my passion for writing.

WA: DO YOU HAVE A WRITING ROUTINE? A PLACE THAT’S SPECIAL?
OLOMU: I actually don’t have a writing routine or a place that is special for writing. However, I am always busy writing and the only pastime I have is writing. I write every day. If I am not writing, I am reading one thing or another.

WA: HOW, WHEN AND WHY DID YOU FIRST START WRITING?
OLOMU: I started writing as a high school student. I was used to writing poem and articles while I was in high school. I write for the school publications and also resuscitated the school’s writing club known as Pathfinder Association of Young Observers (PAYO).
I found the art of writing interesting, I found it fascinating and I concluded on building an empire with it. Writing can solve a lot problems, likewise, it can proffer a lot of solutions. I started because I wanted to be part of a league of changemakers who are proffering solutions to pressing global issues through the art of writing.

WA: WHAT WAS THE FIRST PIECE YOU EVER HAD PUBLISHED?
OLOMU: My first published piece was an article published on Opinion Nigeria. It was n article on the state of Nation.

WA: DO YOU ADDRESS PARTICULAR THEMES OR ISSUES IN YOUR WRITING?
OLOMU: I actually write span different themes. Over the years, I have written on climate change and sustainability, good governance, economy, human rights, and I currently report Technology for ITWeb, a Business-Technology Company based in Johannesburg, South Africa where I have reported that span across Digital economy, startups, EVs, Clean Energy, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics amongst other areas.

WA: HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED SENDING YOUR WRITING OUT INTO THE WORLD?
OLOMU: I was so happy. Getting known for what you do as a writer is not an easy task, you are not a musician that would be recognized just for performing on a stage, you are not an artist that get noticed at every chances, you are not a comedian that get noticed merely by putting smiles on people’s face. You are a writer, you need consistency and the result for that is more work, your ability to keep appearing on stages.
As such, I was so elated seeing my articles and news stories being published on Local and International publications. This is no mean feat for me and it is a testament that I can do more in this space.

WA: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FROM?
OLOMU: I get my ideas from my immediate society. My works are specific. I find a problem particular to my immediate society and I write on them.

WA: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR PUBLISHER?
OLOMU: I have had a lot of experiences working and volunteering for individuals and companies and I have always been getting publications through strong work relationships with editors and publishers. I have once volunteered with The Cable and other media outlets and the experience was a great one for me.

WA: TELL US WHAT KIND OF RESPONSES YOU GET FROM AUDIENCES:
OLOMU: My audience have always been supportive. I have a really amazing audience who has one time or the other praised and criticized my writings. I accept praises where necessary and also amend to criticisms where and when necessary.

WA: HOW CAN PEOPLE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU?
OLOMU: You can search for me on google. Also, you can access my portfolios via the links below:
ITWeb Portfolio: https://itweb.africa/contributors/BO2rQGqAJNavd1ea
Muckrack Portfolio: https://muckrack.com/samuel-olomu
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-olomu

WA: TIPS, TRICKS, THINGS TO PASS ON TO DEDICATED WRITE?
OLOMU: My advice for any writer that is looking forward to doing exploit in the writing space is that, there is no shortcut in this space. You need work and more work. You need to be more consistent. You need to continue showing up on stages. That’s the only tip and trick you need to navigate through the space.

WA: ANY TYPICAL/COMMON MISTAKES THAT NEW WRITERS TEND TO MAKE?
OLOMU: Most intending writers do not want to work, they only want to see results. After many failed attempts trying to get published, they give up. I mentioned consistency. They want to be like Samuel Olomu who has written and worked for so many publishing companies and never bother to ask how he started his journey. My advice for intending writers is that, they should work and be focused on the greater goal.

WA: WHICH OF YOUR BOOKS WERE THE MOST ENJOYABLE TO WRITE?
OLOMU: Basically, I work as a journalist but I have only authored a book. I enjoyed every bit of my time writing and publishing the book. It was an amazing experience being the first of a kind for me. I was able to look deeper into the intricacies of an imaginary world while painting a personal experience.
And interestingly, I recommended the book for a publication on Olympia publishers and it was accepted but was unable to continue with the contract on financial grounds.

WA: TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK? WHAT WAS THE JOURNEY LIKE?
OLOMU: The title of my first published book is Wheels. In Wheels, I recounted my personal experience while also telling the story of my rise from humble beginnings to the future while I still cycle down the troubles of the present time.
In the book, I painted the picture of inequality in the society particular for Nigeria and Africa and the less intervention of the government.
I wrote about my escapades. The young days of innocence which are not devoid of any form of mischievous frolics and pranks where I recounted the story of how I was a voracious letter writer and a lover boy in the college.
I also made a phantasmagoria depiction of a hunting spree, the African ways and traditions which are now lost to the wheel of time.
In short, the journey for me was an amazing one.

WA: WHAT IS THE KEY THEME AND/OR MESSAGE IN THE BOOK?
OLOMU:  The primary theme of the book is the resuscitation of African ways and culture that are lost to the wheel of time. Secondly, the second theme was that doing great things can be possible from a small place.

Samuel Olomu is a writer - an essayist and a poet. His love for writing has got him published on different Nigerian Daily Newspapers and online news Medias. He is a Law undergraduate of the Lagos State University passionate about Constitutional law and social justice. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he talks about his passion for writing.