[BONUS. NIGERIA..] From Risk-free to Risk-filled with Ikenna Onyegbula

54Lights

WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY

We got a BONUS episode for you today! 54Lights takes you to the incredible nation of Nigeria (again!) with rich conversation and inspirational thoughts. Join host Kondwani Mwase and he sits down with Ikenna Onyegbula, a Canadian poet with Nigerian Heritage and a global poetry slam champion. Ikenna joins us at The National Arts Centre in Ottawa for a special episode taped in the heart of a space that's leading conversations, and enjoyment, of the performing arts.

Ikenna shares his story on how he uprooted his stable life in insurance to follow his calling in spoken word poetry. He dives into the industry, unpacking the business of the arts and his experiences as a performer. With engaging conversations about his name, his art, his travels and his identity, Ikenna’s story is one worth listening to.

LISTEN AND LEARN…our key takeaways from the show

• Surprise...Ikenna doesn’t (really) like being called Ikenna at all. His preference? Well you gotta listen to find out
• Our guest has traveled internationally to compete in spoken word championships....from Brazil to Europe to Canada and more...Ikenna's passion for performance leads him to adopt some special and somewhat anti-social pre-event regimen.
• Insider Tip - Ikenna loves crowd interaction and how it enhances his performances
• How did he find his unique voice? It was first a mixture of his inspirations and then he learned that as he performed he had his own flare and no one can truly copy your unique voice
• The Best Advice (he gives) - Sometimes you have to go through the chaos and learn from it

FOLLOW IKENNA ONYEGBULA

Visit https://www.ikonyegbula.com/

ABOUT 54

Instagram - @crowd54

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [e-mail] (feedback welcome…complaints and hate, not so much)

54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience … one story (beat) at a time.

Music for this episode was provided by our guest, Cassa, whose work can be enjoyed below: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qVqyeTICpuu938EF2Lxon?si=EGvVjgA0SbCxMSzy2TvISQ