Odia Joy Iyoha, known professionally as O.J. Iyoha, is a dedicated dentist, compelling writer, and multifaceted creative with a unique blend of empathy, vision, and purpose. Passionate about both healthcare and storytelling, O.J. uses her voice to advocate for overlooked individuals and to spotlight real-world issues through the power of fiction. Her debut novel, Silhouettes of the Celestial Veil, is a satirical whodunit that masterfully blends entertainment with social commentary. Through relatable characters and a gripping narrative, the novel explores urgent themes such as mental health, trauma, justice, abuse, corruption, political instability, child poverty, and the refugee crisis. In this interview, she shares her inspiring story.
Childhood Influence
From a young age, I was drawn to both science and the arts. Even though I was in the science class, I opted for Literature in English over Geography simply because I loved it. Creativity was always part of me. I wrote essays, short stories, and even dramas. My love for expression existed alongside my natural empathy, which later shaped my storytelling and desire to help people. Dentistry and writing are not separate for me. They’re both expressions of empathy. Whether treating a patient or writing a story, my goal is to listen, to heal, and to advocate. Encouragement from my parents and early academic success in English further nurtured this dual path. I even received a Commended Award from the Royal Commonwealth Society in 2008 for an essay I wrote.
The Moment That Inspired Silhouettes of the Celestial Veil
The inspiration for my novel, Silhouettes of the Celestial Veil, came during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. While scrolling through the front page of Nairaland, I came across a disturbing news story about a child who had been raped. What stayed with me even more than the story itself was a comment beneath it, someone said the child would never get justice, that it would trend briefly online and be forgotten like many other abuse cases in Nigeria. That comment deeply unsettled me. I couldn’t just scroll past. My imagination took over. I started picturing the child getting justice, playing it out like scenes from a movie. I wrote these scenes on fullscap sheets, and by the time I was done, I had 120. When I narrated the story to my sisters, their response was overwhelming. One of them, with a keen eye for storytelling, said it was the best I had ever written. That gave me the push I needed to turn those scenes into a full-length novel. It didn’t just feel like inspiration. it felt divine, like God was handing me a story that needed to be told. My own life experiences, along with the real stories of many abuse survivors, pushed me to write the book not just as fiction, but as a voice for the voiceless. Silhouettes of the Celestial Veil is more than a crime thriller.
It tackles themes such as child abuse, trauma, mental health, justice, and societal silence. These are sensitive but urgent issues in Nigeria and around the world. Fiction gave me the space to explore them in a powerful, emotional, and safe way for both myself and my readers. Since its release, the impact of the book has been encouraging. One reader told me it helped her become more present in her daughters’ lives and made her think more deeply about protecting her children, regardless of gender. Many have said it opened their eyes to the harsh realities of abuse and the urgent need for advocacy and reform. This novel proves that storytelling can go beyond entertainment, it can confront injustice, amplify silenced voices, and spark meaningful change. News headlines may highlight a problem briefly, but fiction has the power to keep the conversation alive. My goal was not just to tell a story, but to challenge the status quo, and from the feedback I’ve received, I believe the story is doing just that.
Using Fiction as a Tool for Social Issues
Fiction offers freedom. It allows me to spotlight sensitive topics like sexual assault, mental health, corruption, homelessness, and more, without directly attacking anyone. I use it to tell real-life stories creatively and with care.
I see fiction as a mirror to society. It balances entertainment with education, helping readers think deeply and differently. My aim is not just to entertain but to challenge people to see the world through more empathetic and reflective eyes.
Merging Healthcare, Advocacy, and Creativity
Anyone who has been through medical school will agree that being in the medical profession automatically places you in a position of advocacy and creativity, even if you do not realise it at first. As a healthcare practitioner, when a patient walks in with trauma for instance, my immediate response is to help, to relieve them of their suffering. That alone is advocacy, showing support for their well-being, ensuring they get the best care, especially when they can’t speak for themselves. Creativity also plays a key role in what I do daily. For instance, three patients might present with the exact same complaint, but walk away with completely different treatment outcomes. Why? This is because every patient is unique. Their care must be holistic, tailored not only to their medical needs, but also consider factors like their financial capacity, where they live, and even their personal preferences. That is where critical thinking and creativity come in, drawing up a treatment plan that is tailored to each patient. This also applies in my writing. In dentistry and storytelling, I am solving problems, listening to people’s pain, and trying to bring healing, whether through treatment or through writing. At the centre of these, healthcare, advocacy, and creativity, is empathy. This marries everything together in my life and work.
Core Message Behind the Novel
Silhouettes of the Celestial Veil is more than a crime thriller. It’s a social commentary, a call to listen to unheard voices, especially abused children. It challenges readers to reflect on how unaddressed trauma shapes people. One character’s entire life and choices are shaped by not being heard or helped as a child. I want readers to ask, “Why do people behave the way they do?” The novel reminds us that mental health matters, healing takes time, and justice isn’t only about laws but about validation and being seen. I hope it pushes people to be more compassionate and to act.
Women Who Inspire Me
Three women have significantly shaped my journey. First is Mrs. Anuoluwapo Bankole, my primary school proprietress. She ran one of the best schools in Abeokuta with grace and high standards. Her leadership planted the seed of excellence in me. Second is Mrs. Ajila, my secondary school principal at FGGC Benin. She showed me that women can lead with strength and structure. Her presence reinforced my belief that women are builders. Finally, my mother. She built a supermarket business in Port Harcourt before she turned twenty and later opened a thriving beauty parlour in the west. Her work ethic and resilience left a strong impression on me. These women taught me to pursue excellence with integrity. I carried that same spirit into the writing of my novel. At one point, I had to pull it from Amazon and Selar after discovering the editing software altered my voice. Despite my demanding job as a dentist, I went back to an older draft and re-edited it. That diligence came from what these women modeled for me.
Being a Woman of Rubies
Being recognised as a Woman of Rubies is an honour and a responsibility. It means my voice, platform, and work carry weight. It reminds me to stay grounded in purpose and to never take my calling lightly. Interestingly, in secondary school, a classmate once called me a “rare gem” in my slum book. To be recognized now as a Woman of Rubies feels like a full-circle moment. It reaffirms that I have stayed true to that identity and that I’m using my gifts to uplift others.
Advice for Women Embracing Multiple Callings
If you’ve already started, keep going. Keep showing up. Embrace every part of yourself without apology. You don’t need to dim one light so another can shine. Your gifts are meant to coexist beautifully. I balance dentistry and writing by working smart. My patients get my best during the day, and I write at night. I wrote my first draft during the 2022 ASUU strike, a reminder that so-called dry seasons can be opportunities for growth. Use every season wisely. Embrace your voice, your gifts, and your purpose. The world needs what only you can bring.
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