I was honoured to perform at presidential inauguration – poet

Bookshelf: How did poetry start for you?
Sunday Amuneni: Poetry for me started as far back as 1996, while I was in junior secondary school at Air Force Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue State. I naturally just fell in love with poetry – the play of words hidden in meaning and rhymes. Back then, I used to recite poems at every given opportunity from birthdays to class parties.
Bookshelf: What kind of poems do you do?
Amuneni: I write and perform all kinds of poetry. I try to write on all types of issues as the inspiration hits me. The moments are usually short periods of intense emotions as per the subject piece. When the moment comes, I seize it and scribble, then I can edit the lines later.  My poetry can take the form of verses in clear rhyme patterns, to free verses and also ekphrastics. I really like writing to interpret images. I should say this is my current poetic mood. Poems like ‘My Promise,’ ‘Beggar Mum, her infant and a vacuum’ and ‘More to a woman,’ were inspired by photographs.
Bookshelf: Why did you decide on this?
Amuneni: Because I finally realised that poetry was a passion for me and I could not deny this art form anymore. I had to let it breathe outside me and in any little way touch somebody with its subliminal message and undertone.  
Bookshelf: You were given an invite to perform at the inauguration on Friday. How did you receive the news?
Amuneni: It was splendid! I felt really honoured.
Bookshelf: Why do you think you were chosen?
Amuneni: That’s a difficult question to answer…
Bookshelf: How did you perform?
Amuneni: I performed a piece that questions and it’s titled ‘…is this the moment?’
Bookshelf: Why this choice of poem for the event?
Amuneni: Because Nigerians have craved for change for so long and this was further consolidated by the result of the presidential election. So the content of the poem poses questions to the new government to tell us by their actions, if this is the moment we have all been waiting for? Where change is for real and hoping Nigerians would not be disappointed again…
Bookshelf: What does poetry mean to you?
Amuneni: Poetry is a means of expressing my deepest feelings on the complexity of life’s issues through the medium of the written and spoken word to a ready audience.
Bookshelf: How far has poetry gotten you?
Amuneni: As far as performing at TEDx Garki and also at the Presidential Inauguration Abuja. Poetry has paid bills and has given me a very unique platform for expression of ideas. I have performed at literary workshops and events, summits, retreats, churches and even private birthdays.
Bookshelf: What kinds of reactions have your poems attracted?
Amuneni: Interesting criticism and encouraging literary appreciation
Bookshelf: What gives you inspiration to write them?
Amuneni: I am totally inspired by the human condition. It could be love, politics, friendship, anger, lust and so on. However, the mood must be right and the music too. They all work together for the lines to flow.
Bookshelf: Who has inspired you in this line of art?
Amuneni: Richard Ntiru from Uganda, Odia Ofeimun, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and Shittu Fawora, have greatly influenced my ‘written poetry.’ Dike Chukwumerije, Sammy Sage Hassan and Leon Echa have also inspired my ‘spoken word poetry.’
Bookshelf: How did you swing from architecture to poetry?
Amuneni: I do both. They are both major fields in the world of creative endeavour and are strongly related. Architecture itself is like doing poetry with building forms, shapes and functions but expressed through the medium a structure represents.  
Bookshelf: Does poetry still give you room for architecture?
Amuneni: Very well; they don’t interfere with each other. Rather, they complement each other. It’s like music and dancing. The truth is, when you truly love something and you are passionate about it, you would always find a way.
Bookshelf: In a few words, how would you describe your poetry?
Amuneni: My poetry is the reflections and thoughts of a conscious mind. I find freedom when I express myself through poetry and I do hope it can touch even one person to cause a spark of intimacy and connection or even cause a major change in the paradigm of society.
Bookshelf: Which was the most difficult to put together?
Amuneni: Writing poetry for me can be difficult when I have a very close deadline date to put together a piece for performance. Aside from that, it is an all-round pleasurable process.
Bookshelf: How has the reception of Freedom Hall Abuja been?
Amuneni: Oh wow! People love Freedom Hall Abuja!  The reception is amazing. We have had three editions this year. It’s been an improvement from previous editions. We always have an ‘A list’ artiste present for every edition, then other awesome performances by our guests. We normally have crowds of 150 to 200 people per night. Trust me, that is a big one for the kind of music- (alternative sounds, soft rock, and jazz) and activities that is typical of a Freedom Hall night. We are now having proposals for corporate sponsorship and partnership and we are totally excited about all of these!
Bookshelf: What are the different things you do that make up Bash?
Amuneni: The compilation captures their honest and naïve thoughts on the Nigerian situation. This project was fully and privately funded as an attempt to give voice to young poets and also provide a platform where children can speak up in an atmosphere of healthy competition. I am currently working on his first spoken word album titled ‘Freedom.’ The body of work is laced in love, intimacy, folklore, the human condition and also contains hard contents that jab the economic and political conscience of Nigeria. I have performed at various platforms around the country. Bash is a member of the Abuja Literary Society, EB Arts & Poetry Club, Jos, Plateau State, and one of the figures behind the movement, Freedom Hall Abuja – which provides an atmosphere where everyday people can express their innate talents to an everyday crowd.
Bookshelf: How do you successfully combine banking, poetry and architecture?
Amuneni: As an architect, I stick to just building designs and no time for real site work personally. Designs can be done all through my weekends with my team and we also work at nights. Banking takes up my normal work days. Poetry punctuates all of these. It can happen anywhere and at any time.