S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema (Su’ur Agema) is a Nigerian-born Nottingham-based multifaceted individual with a flair for leadership, development work, research, culture and creative writing. He proudly stands as the mastermind behind the renowned Benue Book and Arts Festival in Nigeria and is credited as the pioneering curator for the Black History Month/Project at the University of Sussex, UK, where he achieved an MA in International Education and Development as a distinguished Chevening Scholar (2018/19).
Educationally rooted with degrees in English (and Literature) from Benue State University, Makurdi, and an MA in International Education and Development from the University of Sussex, Su’eddie’s unique perspective enables him to appreciate the nuances of humor in life and literature. He showcases a robust interest in African, Post-Colonial, and New Writings, and has made notable contributions in these fields.
A former Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA, Benue State Chapter, 2014-2016), Su’eddie has also rendered his expertise as a council member for the ANA National Teen Authorship Scheme. His leadership skills extend to his role at SEVHAGE Publishers and its developmental counterpart, the SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative.
Recognized for his dedication to literature, Su’eddie has orchestrated numerous workshops in Nigeria and the United Kingdom across literature, creative writing, development, and leadership sectors, primarily targeting the youth. An avid traveler and social enthusiast, he possesses an infectious zest for life. If not for his literary commitments, Su’eddie might just pen down a hundred books annually!
Su’eddie is considered as one of the most significant poets in Nigerian literature in 2022 after winning the Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize 2022 and being a finalist for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, worth $100,000 with his book, Memory and the Call of Waters. This was in addition to curating several poetry events, awards, being a panelist at events and a judge for some competitions.
His accolades include being named amongst Nigerian Writers Award 100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40 (2017 and 2018) and was named as one of EGC’s Top 50 Contemporary Poets who rocked and influenced Nigeria (2013-2017). Notably, Su’eddie won the Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize 2014 and 2022, and was shortlisted for the Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature 2018 with his collection, Home Equals Holes: Tale of an Exile. He won the Mandela Day Short Story Prize 2016 with his short story, ‘Washing the Earth’. He is the author of BRING OUR CASKET HOME: Tales one shouldn’t tell (a collection of poetry hailed by critics as deep and pleasantly different) which was longlisted for the Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize (2013) with the title poem, ‘Tales one shouldn’t tell’ shortlisted for the PEN Nigeria/Saraba Poetry Award 2013. His collection of short stories, The Bottom of another Tale was shortlisted for the Association of Nigerian Authors Prose Prize 2014 and Abubakar Gimba Prize for Short Stories 2015. His Once Upon a Village Tale was shortlisted for the ANA Children’s Literature Prize 2018.
His research interests are varied and included internally displaced persons education, curriculum, sustainability, WASH, menstrual health, post-colonialism, and literature in general, amongst others. He was part of the lead researchers that researched and put together Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Comprehensive Survey/Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping of Menstrual Health & Hygiene Management (MHHM) in Nigeria report. He also recently co-edited (with Jennifer Jomafuvwe Agbaire and Juhi Kumari) the international book of chapters, Education and Development: International Insights on Exclusions, Inclusion and Transformational Change, a project founded in the International Education and Development programme of the Centre for International Education at the University of Sussex and SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative. Su’eddie’s first degree long essay (project) interrogated Post-colonialism in the work of Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah, while his MSc in Development Studies at the Benue State University focused on the societal perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility in Dangote Cement Company (formerly Benue Cement Company) in the host community of Mbayion. At the university of Sussex, he researched on the history of the Nigerian curriculum, educational policy making and the SDGs, education in conflict, and post-colonialism in African literature. His dissertation, which earned him a distinction, is titled Education in Emergencies: An Assessment of Basic Education in Abagena IDP Camp in Makurdi LGA, Benue State, Nigeria.
As team leader at SEVHAGE Publishers and SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative, Su’eddie consults on several projects in fields varying from gender studies to media, literary studies, multidisciplinary studies, most of which were eventually published. Clients have included Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, Professor Dul Johnson, Dr. Maria Ajima, the Federal University, Lafia, Development Exchange Centre, Bauchi, amongst others.
A friendly soul, Su’eddie values relationships and always welcomes constructive criticism. Engage with him on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as @sueddieagema.
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PERSONAL NOTES:
LITERATURE: LIFE: LOVE: DEVELOPMENT: POLITICS: ….
I am an all rounded writer, would edit any literary work available (for a fee 🙂 !)… a development activist and social blogger…
surfing is my thing and keeping in touch with friends (new and old) is just the order… This blog is to show my work to the world, connect with fans and get to meet a lot of people while being the best me… It is also a platform to express my views, as well as host the views of others I find worth the while. So, expect everything from literature to politics, life and all… drop a comment or get to FB to meet…
I was exposed to Literature at an early age by a father who kept the tradition of the moonlight tales. There was my mother who bought the best of African literary titles, from Chinua Achebe to every famous writer of the Heinemann fame. A writing brother, Gabriel, and several inspiring siblings (Taver Ayede and the team) and tutors along the way baked me. More and more, I meet more people, learning… The story continues…
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- Twenty Years Later (A Poem or something like that) by Su’eddie Vershima Agema (sueddie.wordpress.com)
Please you made a comment about my story THE IDENTICAL TWINS. You also showed interest in having my email address. I have supplied it. I look forward to hearing further from you.
Thanks for finding time to read my stories.
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I am the author of THE IDENTICAL TWINS. PLease find below, my email address which is kencel27@yahoo.com to get in touch with me.
thanks
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Nice one Eddie. it’s good to see u do what u know how to do best. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go thru ur articles but hope to do so at a later date. Keep it up!
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Terdue, thanks very much. Glad you could find time to drop by – hoping to have you come fulfil your words :)…Kenechukwu, sup? Been a long while…
Happy New Year both!
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Hello Su’eddie. I have taken your advice you left on my ‘The thought process & the Mapuches’ and have started dividing up the information I am adding onto the blog to keep it a bit short. Thank you for reading and if you find any spelling mistakes or if you think I can express something in a better way, please let me know.
I read that your make comments on political issues. Well, the work I am writing about is quite political, but it will be a ceramic artwork. I think that in the art world we have a special licence to express political issues and be in a safe platform.
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Cecilia, have gone through the world searching for you…How come you haven’t posted anything in ages? Oh well, hope you good. Best wishes…
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Found you! Hoorary!
LOTS for me to read here.
Thank you – back soon.
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Found you first!!
Glad you came by. Of course I am unto you 🙂
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Hello, boss. I see you…
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Layrite, see you too bright and clear 🙂
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Hi – I nominated you for a Beautiful Blogger Award. Hooray! Pop over to see me http://patwoodblogging.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/i-am-so-spoiled-another-award/ and take a look! – Pat
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I’ve just nominated your blog for a Liebster Blog Award. If you choose to participate, you can view the rules of the award in my blog post:
http://nmnphx.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/those-zany-blog-awards/
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C’mon!!! Of course, yes!! Running there now!
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…You gat gold in them tips bro..welldone!
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Thank you, really much…Doc 😉 Means much.
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Hey,
Does your blog accept guest posts? I’d like to contribute if you don’t mind.
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Sure! No troubles…
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Yay! Where may i send them to?
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I just sent you a mail…
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Got it. Thanks
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Still waiting to hear from you… Hi Tokoni. How are you?
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Hey Boss;
Your blog contains only serious literature. Lol.
I didn’t hear frm u again so thought to look for u all round.
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Thanks for following my blog!
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Pleasure 🙂
Merci!
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Wow!
Enchanted…
First time here.
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Ah! Welcome, I guess.
We are on you already so maybe I should offer a virtual hug of welcome to my humble abode?
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Sure (:
Thank you.
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🙂
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I’m so glad I found my way here through Zika’s blog. I can tell I’m going to enjoy looking around and reading your work. It’s always encouraging to see others laboring in the same fields, no matter how many miles away! Cheers,
Kathryn
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Yaaaaaay! Hello Kathryn, 🙂 Thank you really much for finding time to come here, first of all, and also to drop a comment. Ah, that means much. Merci. I really hope you get to enjoy this lazy spot of mine… I probably should give Ziks a small salute for the referral 🙂
I send a handshake across the miles. I am off to your blog too. Thanks 🙂
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Hello sueddie, its through surfing the net for the content on Chinua Achebe, i came across your blog. stopped by rather you forced me to stop at your blog and felt very happy for reading a few of your works. you are doing really a commendable job for the pals of same sort those who wish to bond together with common motive…..to share and benefit.
well i chose “Chinua Achebe and his 5 Novels” as my research topic. I am from India particularly from Andhrapradesh a state. I don’t get momentum for completing it but problem lies on my side. well now in the renewed interest after knowing your blog, i wish i could complete it.I could access a few thesis written on Chinua Achebe’s Novels, and yesterday an idea blinked which is the reason why i am writing this..
As you want people around to know what true Nigeria is and the works of your people… sharing the same in more detailed manner would help me to get a better glimpse of Our man Achebe and helps me in completing my research.
Here is My Mail Id… satish.reserach@rediffmail.com.. I am requesting you to share with me any article written on chinua Achebe, and send me a few thesis written on him so that i could get even a better idea of compiling things in concrete manner.. and to brings Thing at a place…
I know it is a lengthy post … hope you bear with this and looking forward for your help…
Satish
India
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Kabisa help….
satish.research@rediffmail.com
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Hello i am Usman Sani Muhammad, The president of Writers Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria. I Wrote to Dul Johnson the writer of Deeper Into The Night on reviews on the aforementioned he gave me this link, please do reply. Thanks
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Hello Usman. Nice to make your acquaintance. Sorry, I don’t really have a title to match yours but, I am Su’eddie. 🙂 What in particular would you want me to do for you? I have also sent you a mail with this same question. Let me know so we can see what we can do. Greetings.
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I’m just glad to finally see a platform that’s been laid down for young African writers to gain a lotta insights on African literature from.
Keep up the commendable work you do.
tjanjs
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Hey man, thanks, really much for this. I was nearly forgetting this. Bless you.
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