Fiction

A truly multilingual volume of poetry that captures the times, legends and spaces of the city in the mellifluous tone of a court raconteur; Ilorin is the rational hybrid of cultures, its praise-song steeped in the invocation and evocation of indigenous,oriental and western traditions. Written in English, Yoruba and Hausa, the poems are carefully stringed in short spurts of epical quality.

Following a horrific tragedy, Tambaya leaves Kano for Accra to live with her brother, Aminu. Sadly, her dream of a new beginning is dashed when she can no longer endure the indignity she suffers at the hands of her brother’s new wife.

Tambaya returns to northern Nigeria and soon finds work as a matron in an orphanage, under the watchful eye of the ruthless Miss Scholastica. Just when she begins to settle into her new life, an unexpected visit threatens to destroy everything she has worked so hard to build. Tambaya faces moral dilemmas on all sides, but she must stop her life from unravelling once again.

Vulnerable, and surrounded by malice, corruption and greed, Tambaya struggles to shape her destiny. An Abundance of Scorpions charts one woman’s journey through grief and uncertainty to a road that leads to self-discovery, redemption and love.

In Harmattan! and other poems, the poet pours out his thoughts as a traveller, a patriotic Nigerian, a devout Christian, and more, in this collection of laidback yet thought-provoking poems, covering his trips and observations through travel monologues, politics (both local and foreign), the ugly reality of terrorism, and the deep importance of faith to him.

He reveals his general reflections on life, the Nigerian weather/climate, aging, and Ebola/COVID; his support for the Super Eagles and for Liverpool FC; his love for his wife, his mother, and musings on Harry and Meghan’s marriage; and a reflection on rainbows, Psalm 23, and the coming of Judgement Day; all with unique observation and rhythmic mastery.

When Titilope Ojo left Nigeria for the United States over a decade ago, her mother told her that a good mother does not run from her child’s home; she always stays and fights. Those words remained fresh in her mind as events unfold in her marriage. Her husband, Tomide, is a handsome and charismatic man who she is afraid of. She spends each day anticipating his moods and lives in fear of offending him. She takes great care to try and love him just the way he wants, but worries that nothing she does will ever be enough.

As her life continues to spiral out of control, Titilope finds herself alone at a crossroads where she must choose between duty and survival.

In Chasing Butterflies, Yejide Kilanko creates a detailed and moving portrait of a difficult and harrowing marriage. She uses crystal clear prose to demonstrate the points of view of both parties and the little child caught in the crossfire of parents who are struggling to be heard and appreciated in their partnership.