The Lagos arts community recently came together to celebrate poetry as a vibrant tool for advocacy, hosting a special evening titled “Poetic Conversations” at the U.S. Consul General’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. The event featured Salome Agbaroji, the 7th U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate, and Deborah Johnson, Nigeria’s representative at the 2023 African Cup of Slam Poetry.
The intimate, all-white setting provided the perfect atmosphere for an audience that included diplomats, artists, poets, journalists, and art lovers. Agbaroji and Johnson captivated the audience with their performances, joined by other young poets such as Ruth Mahogany, Aremo Gemini, Marvel Iyare, Tobi Abiodun, and Kamenelechukwu Susan.
A standout moment was Aremo Gemini’s performance of his poem “Odun” in Yoruba, which received enthusiastic applause. The poem critiques the “japa” syndrome—a trend among Nigerian youths seeking opportunities abroad, often at great personal risk.
The two-hour session was moderated by Tade Ipadeola, a poet, lawyer, and winner of the 2013 Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Julie McKay, the U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer, emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges like Agbaroji’s visit to Nigeria. She highlighted how such exchanges foster mutual understanding and freedom of expression, offering young people a platform to be heard. “Poetry is an inspiring platform for youth to express their creativity and sense of self,” McKay stated.
Salome Agbaroji, who performed several of her poems, including Insomnia, spoke about the themes that drive her work. She explained that her poetry reflects her identity and experiences as a Black woman in America. “Race is a huge defining factor in how one experiences the world,” Agbaroji said, noting that her advocacy for Black identity is both deliberate and natural.
Agbaroji expressed her deep connection to poetry, describing it as more than just an art form. “It means a lot to see that there’s a community of people interested in what I write,” she said. She also discussed the broader impact of poetry, suggesting that when properly defined and made more inclusive, it can resonate with many more people.
“I think people care about poetry; they just don’t realize it,” she observed, noting that songs, fairy tales, and even personal experiences often contain poetic elements. Agbaroji also shared her commitment to inspiring young writers through workshops and other initiatives, stating that this would not be her last visit to Nigeria for poetry-related work.
Reflecting on her journey, Agbaroji recalled growing up in an immigrant Nigerian household in the U.S., where career aspirations were typically focused on law or engineering. However, her passion for poetry eventually gained recognition, leading her to perform at significant events across the country.
Michael Cirelli, the Founder and Executive Director of the National Youth Poet Laureate Programme in the U.S., also spoke at the event. He highlighted the unique power of poetry in diplomacy, stating, “I cannot think of any other form of diplomacy than poetry. It is a beautiful way to build connections and show that we are all human.”
Cirelli explained that the programme celebrates the most talented young poets in the United States, providing them with large-scale opportunities and connecting them with their ancestral roots across the globe.