Sadly however, I discovered in one particular case that a colleague went and paid the bribe on my behalf, just to get our mission fulfilled. That was painful, and it strained our friendship.

I was born into a Christian household, in a parsonage in fact, so I grew up in sort of a missionary atmosphere but it was an environment which involved both the traditional religions as well as the Muslim religion, so we were exposed to all the various facets of faith, micro cultures which existed within those beliefs, and even though I've lost whatever Christian faith was drummed into me as a child, I still maintain very good relationship with all the various religions.

Writers who open up horizons for other people are performing a function every bit as important as a consciously politicized writer.

Each time I think Ive created time for myself, along comes a throwback to disrupt my private space.

And I believe that the best learning process of any kind of craft is just to look at the work of others.

You go to conferences, and your fellow African intellectuals - and even heads of state - they all say: 'Nigeria is a big disappointment. It is the shame of the African continent.'

When I say war, I'm not talking about mental war; I'm talking about totally eliminating the obstacles to transformation of our children.