I wish for a Nigeria free of impediments- Umar Saidu Umar

Umar Saidu Isa fondly called The Dynamic Galvanizer is a poet, writer, blogger, voice-over artiste, rapper and a motivational speaker. He is also the CEO of Etsumar Poetry, an audio production and graphics presentation outfit. In this interview with ABDULHAFEEZ T. OYEWOLE, he speaks about his works and passion for a better Nigeria.

What is your background and how did you come about the alias, ‘The Dynamic Galvanizer’?

My name is Umar Saidu Isa aka The Dynamic Galvanizer. I am a native of Lafiagi, Kwara state; but grew up in Ilorin. I had my primary, secondary and university education in Kwara state in 2017.

I had my national youth service in Jos, Plateau state. I am currently a staff of the Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete.

I gave myself the alias as a result of the fact that I’m a man of multiple talents and topping these lists is my motivational speaking.

Apart from being a staff of KWASU, what other things are you into?

Well, as I said earlier, I’m a man of multiple talents, and I’m also an entrepreneur.

I’m a poet, a writer, an inspirational and motivational speaker, singer and rapper, an orator, a voice-over artiste, a graphics designer, a blogger and an entrepreneur.

I have composed and voiced various inspirational and motivational audio and video poetry and songs. And I have also composed the official anthems for two reputable Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria: Eagles Foundation for Humanity and Nnazhima Welfare Association.

At what stage did you discover you could do all these and when did you decide to build careers of them?

I discovered I could do all these during my secondary school and university days. So, I came to the conclusion that I would build career of them because I enjoy and love doing them, and you know a successful career is highly dependent on a person’s interest in that particular field.

So, I will say my love for them gave me the confidence to build a career in them.

How do you jostle these areas of specialisation?

I keep my audience informed about my activities through conferences, my social media pages, most especially my Instagram: @Dynamicgalvanizer.

These really go a long way in connecting with them and keeping them informed about my latest works and activities.

Well, I attend to anything regarding my talent after work hours and fully on weekends. So, both areas are balanced.

What are your guiding principles?

The six pivotal rules guiding each and every one of these traits are creativity, focus, determination, discipline, hard work and vast reading. With all these, success in these various fields is guaranteed.

What would you say are the differences between spoken word and poetry?

I will say spoken words are written to be performed to an audience. So, a spoken-word artiste must always ensure that his lines are rhythmical, full of attitude (requiring unique facial expressions). On the other hand, poetry is written but not necessarily meant to be performed.

In fact, there are poets who have stage fright. But it is pivotal that a spoken word artiste has all the confidence in the world to communicate his message to his audience.

How do you handle writer’s block?

I don’t experience writer’s block, because most times before I work on a write up or any project, I would have made quality research on it before delving into it.

Are there literary works completed or working on?

I have composed, voiced and produced a lot of inspirational and motivational audio poetry and songs, and I have shot videos to some of it.

I’ve also composed and voiced Anthems for Organizations, some of these works include, The Eagles Foundation For Humanity’s Anthem, which I composed and voiced in 2015.

In 2016, I released “The Better By Far University” which I dedicated to the University Of Ilorin, in my second year in the university. I made the official public presentation of this poem at the university’s convocation Luncheon and Merit Awards in 2014.

In 2017, I carried out an NYSC personal project, tagged “A World Of Education” in which I composed, voiced and produced an inspirational album and made a visit to a few Secondary schools in Jos-north, Plateau state where I made poem recitations, and made distribution of the album to outstanding students.

My most recent work is the album I dedicated to the kwara State University (KWASU) and its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah. On the February 27, 2018, I made the official presentation of the disc to the VC and it was covered by the university relations.

How did you come about your album, Man of the Moment and what is it all about?

The album: “Man of the Moment” is going to be my first official album. It is going to be a compilation of my Inspirational and Motivational Audio Poetry and Songs.

The album is targeted at giving hope to the hopeless, instilling confidence in the scared and the underrated ones, and adding more feathers to the wings of the great ones to soar higher in their respective fields.

The event is also going to feature motivational talks by outstanding and experienced speakers, doing justice to topics on issues hindering a successful outcome of our daily struggles in life.

Are there things slowing you down in your pursuits?

The challenges I experience are usually financial but not all the time. I do not have sufficient funds to carry out my projects.

Who are your role models?

Every literary personality is my role model. I learn from anybody.

How do you unwind after the day’s work?

I take enough rest after which I listen to my inspirational and motivational audio poetry and songs to give me the zeal to strive towards my goals.

Where do you hope to be in five years’ time?

In five years’ time, I see myself in a world where all my dreams have come to reality and my works have made great impact on people’s lives.

What’s your dream for Nigeria?

My dream for Nigeria is for it to be a better place, free of corruption, tribalism, nepotism and every other impediment to building a successful country. The Nigerians of my dream are people who would be free of gullibility and strengthened with wisdom to take just decisions.

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*On the 19th May 2018, Mazabs Events Centre, Tanke Tipper Garage, Ilorin, kwara state is the place to be for The  Dynamic Galvanizer's Man of the Moment's Album.