Glo-powered CNN African Voices profiles Nigeria’s WanaWana, two other bards

Three African bards, Wana Udobang from Nigeria, Kadija Sesay, a British of Sierra Leonean descent, and Hip-hop flavoured word artiste, Enos Olik from Kenya, famous for ventilating their feelings through the poetry genre are guests on this week’s edition of the Glo-powered CNN African Voices.

The bards will apprise viewers of their trajectories and creative muses giving wings to their talents. Freelance journalist, poet, television personality and writer, WanaWana, popularly called Udobang, is reputed as one of the biggest champions of the resurgence of new spoken word in contemporary Nigeria.

Her first spoken-word album, entitled Dirty Laundry, was launched in 2013. She released a second album, entitled In Memory of Forgetting, in 2017. The album has been described as incredibly brave.

WanaWana described the work as “a collection of memories navigating experiences that range from places of brokenness and questioning to self renewal.”

Her works have appeared on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Al Jazeera, among other media organisations of note.

Kenyan Olik marries poetry with fast paced Hip-hop to create a unique performance style. A reputable cinematographer and video director, Olik has worked with several heavyweights in the entertainment industry within and outside his country.

A graduate of Commerce from the University of Nairobi, Olik also secured a certificate in 3D animation. He started out as a musician, then photographer until he discovered his passion for performance poetry.

The third guest on the programme, Sesay, is a literary activist, short story writer, poet and the Publisher and Managing Editor of Sable LitMag, a magazine that promotes arts and talents.

She is the General Secretary for African Writers Abroad and organises the Writers’ HotSpot where she teaches Creative Writing and Journalism courses to prospective writers.

Her first full collection of poems, entitled Irki, was published in 2013. This and other works of poetry have earned her many awards and nominations, including the Cosmopolitan Woman of Achievement, Candace Woman of Achievement and The VoiceCommunity Award in Literature.