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| Whiteman |
He has been
immersed in the world of writing for over 50 years and he is still going on
stronger. Kaye Whiteman’s writing prowess has evolved beyond his expectation.
His interest in journalism emanated from the fact that he comes from a family
of journalists. The former Editor-in-Chief of the West Africa weekly Magazine
recently wrote a book about Lagos. Something spectacular about Kaye Whiteman has to do
with why he wrote a book about Lagos despite the fact that he has not lived
here for up to five years. Entitled:
“Lagos: A Cultural and Historical Companion,” the 77 years
old European relieves his impression about Lagos when he visited the centre of
excellence for the first time. “I flew in into Nigeria when I came on a visit in
1964; the Overseas Airways had to stop in Kano so I passed through Kano and
Kaduna before I came to Lagos. My impression about Lagos was different but I
found out that it was a fascinating place. It was much different from what it
is now. Of course, the population then was manageable in Marina. It was shortly
after Nigeria’s independence during the political crisis, before elections in
1964 which was turbulent. A lot of people took me round and showed me a lot of
places. When I went to the parliament, I heard them debating about Press Bill,
I later went to the Island Club which was booming. Peter Enahoro, the then
editor of Daily Times took me to places. Also, Mr Kunle Animashaun was allocated
to me to take me to Ibadan and I discovered that it was a remarkable city. I
enjoyed the trip.”
With his
experience about past and present Nigeria, he decided to write the book based
on his understanding about the place. “I wished I lived here so that I can
understand it more. West African region was my stamping ground,” he added.
Whiteman
sheds light about the kinds of story he heard about Nigeria when he set out to
visit the land of opportunities. “In those days, the western press focused
about Nigeria’s political crisis. Because it was considered to be pro-western,
favourably the British press did not write much about Nigeria’s image but they
focused on Ghana’s dictatorial government.”
Compared
with what Nigeria used to be in early 1960s, he adds, “Nigeria is a complex
country that has continued to expand. The oil boom had a lot of effect on her.
She has been through a lot of turbulent times including war. The crisis after
the independence in a way could not be avoided. I was always optimistic about
Nigeria despite the fact that its differences still persist.”
He revealed
that he has interviewed General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) thrice and has this to
say. “He was a fascinating man. I had to ask him a question three times before I
got the answer. “
Whiteman has
been practising journalism since 1960. “I come from a family of journalists and
I see no reason why I should not become one. But I did have two interludes
including international bureaucracy which was a mystery to me and still remains
a mystery. I was at the Commonwealth Secretariat with the former
Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku. It was a new dimension to me, but
essentially, I am a writer.
“I did a
song and I have done poetry which I hope to publish in future. There is a song
I intend to perform with Tunde Kuboye. It is titled “Oyinbo where you dey go?” He
added.
Whiteman can
speak pidgin but said he wished he could speak any Nigerian languages. “I
should have learnt them but I am not smart when it comes to understanding local
languages.”
When asked
further to know whether Whiteman was his real name, he nods in affirmation and
said he didn’t invent his name. On a lighter note, he remembered when he once
met a man from Trinidad and Tobago called Blackman. He said people around them
said: “Mr. Whiteman meet Mr. Blackman.”
Though, he
recently celebrated his 77th birthday, he plans to publish more books.
“Just like a famous song, In my mind, I
feel 25. At some points, I have been unwell. I did some surgery. I carry on
doing what I am inspired to do. In the past 10 years, I have concentrated in
writing. When I was the Editor-in-Chief of the West Africa, I was also writing
books.”
Whiteman revealed
that he has many books he has written for publication.
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