An Interview with Adewale Ajadi

Adewale Ajadi is an Ibadan man born like his ancestor, Balogun Ibikunle, in the storied city in 1966. A husband, father, and grandfather whose working life has been to develop leadership, enlightenment, and capacity to propagate love in at least three continents as a lawyer, economist, leadership educator, facilitator, playwright, and entrepreneur. In over four decades, the privilege of being born and raised as an African in the times when the consciousness of being an Ancestor and the practice of creating a legacy have become apparent and persistent. In all the exposure from diverse assignment, the profound promise of Afrilition is a compelling personal, professional, and communal mission. His work continues building on his play Abyssinia, his earlier book Omoluwabi 2.0:  A code of Transformation in 21st Century Nigeria, and many writings and projects, especially works on leadership and systems, including lecturing on critical thinking for the masters’ programme of the Nigerian Defence Academy, leading facilitation for the United Nations Development Programme on Reform of the Nigerian Police Force, and being member of the training team of the African Leadership Centre of Kings College London in many of its interventions on leadership education across the continent. He has the privilege of being husband and friend to Joy; they are blessed with three great men, two of whom are fathers now. His greatest pastime is being on grandfather duty with both biological and heart-chosen grandchildren across the spaces they live in around the world.

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Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

It has been a functional title for African evolution through its volition.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

I had a sense of satisfaction since I was involved in its design.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have always been involved with telling and sharing my perspectives, as a child, as a lawyer, and ever since, so writing is part of it.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Directing films.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

That I am sharing my reflections with my grandchildren.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Africa Centre of the World by Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers.

Can You See the Light by Brass Construction.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

They take up the call to action of building African unique contributions to the world in the twenty-first century.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

A visual comic of Afrilition.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

It is a lot better than I imagined.

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.