Akanbi Albert Afeso is an economist by training, a Planning Officer with the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) by occupation, and a Creative Writer by vocation. He hails from Ososo, a scenic town of streams and rocks in the undulating Somorika hills in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Born on the 31 March 1982, by the year 1999, he had completed secondary school in Lagos. After his secondary education, he proceeded to the Delta State University, Abraka in Delta State Nigeria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics in 2006. He later returned to Lagos to complete his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program in 2008. Even though he started to write at the tender age of 8, he had considered writing a means of relaxation until one of the major publishing companies in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria offered to publish his debut novel Cold Black Night in 2012. This experience was what made him realize that with his remarkable storytelling talent, he could contribute his own quota to making the world a better place by telling the critical stories through his books. Prior to this time, he had never considered going commercial with his works. It was this same experience that informed his enrolling for numerous writing programs, workshops and seminars with the aim of improving himself in the writing craft.
"…by telling the critical stories I hope to draw the attention of those who can help to the plight of those who really need help. Who knows, maybe with the power of my pen I could bring the much needed help to someone somewhere someday…" The above lines mirrors what Afeso considers his mission and purpose in the literary world. Today, apart from storytelling, he also mentors upcoming writers and engages himself in charitable activities. He is also a sought-after motivational speaker who delivers upbeat and informative presentations on topics that bothers on Leadership, Youth Empowerment and Creative Writing.
His works have appeared in various publications including the African Book Club's maiden anthology, THE BUNDLE OF JOY, and Other Stories From Africa, published in the United States, in the fall of 2014 and the Naijastories websites and numerous anthologies both local and international. He is the author of the novels Cold Black Night, November 5 and Men of Straw, all of which were released to international acclaim. Of his books he says:
"….there is no greater joy one than for one to put his thoughts to paper and for such ideas to find readership and acceptability amongst the target audience…."
He is a recipient of the GOTNI Certificate of Achievement, the African Book Club Writer of the Month Award for the month of May, 2014 and numerous other awards. He was at a time the Osun State Coordinator for Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW). Currently, he is a member of the editorial board of the prestigious COPINE Update magazine, a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and a member of the Board of Trustee: Paulash Initiative, an NGO dedicated to helping mentally challenged children, empowering women and advocating the right to education of the girl-child. He has a beautiful daughter. A great lover of books, his best quote is the words of the late American scientist Dr. Carl Sagan:
'….one glance at a good book and you hear the voice of another person-perhaps someone dead for thousands of years ago- Across the millennia, the author is speaking, clearly and silently, inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people, citizens of distant epochs, who never knew one another. Books break the shackles of time, proof that humans can work magic….'
