FOR RICHARD ALI: A BIRTHDAY MESSAGE

Today, we celebrate a remarkable individual, creative, administrator, and a big part of our Konya Shamsrumi collective. Richard Ali, a lawyer, poet, and one of our principal members, marks another year of life, and not just any number but the milestone 40!

Richard’s contributions to African poetry and the literary community at large are profound. From editorial roles to becoming the Publicity Secretary (North) of the Association of Nigerian Authors and founding Parresia Publishers, his legacy on the Nigerian literary front was secure. As a founding member of the African progressive collective, Jalada Writers Cooperative, a board member of Uganda’s Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, and a key member of our beloved Konya Shamsrumi, Richard’s intervention cannot be underestimated.

As an author and poet, his novel City of Memories and poetry collection, The Anguish and the Vigilance of Things, in addition to countless publications globally, his contributions resonate deeply and have affected several several lives. He has been a part of several festivals, dialogues and notably started the ‘Engaging Borders Africa’, a project that employs “literature + arts in a soft approach to change perceptions of violent extremism, radicalization, and hate amongst Africa’s digital youth.”

Above these all, he has shown himself to be a dependable friend, a great husband to Zahra, and a delightfully dedicated daddy to Zurain. An all-round gentleman.

Richard, your creativity, leadership and unwavering dedication continue to remain inspiring. On this special day, we wish you endless joy, success, and poetic inspiration. May this year be filled with even greater achievements and happiness.

From all of us at Konya Shamsrumi, Happy Birthday! Here’s to many more years of shared dreams and poetic brilliance!

S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema
Managing Editor, Konya Shamsrumi