Her name is Imuetinyan Ugiagbe. We met on Instagram after I reached out to her, curious about the phrase emblazoned on her profile. It reads…..
“I am a visual storyteller who happens to be visually impaired.”
Imuetinyan is the founder of IU.Media, a platform that focuses on stories of those who rarely are given a voice and who are frequently not understood, not heard, or not seen by our society. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria and has a passion for telling stories.
“I host two shows: All About Africa and On The Bench. All About Africa is a show that discusses issues that are “Un-African,” that is, subject matter that challenges the conventional views held in Africa. My commentaries are centered on social, political, and economic issues that either affect or empower Africans on the continent and abroad.”
Her idea for On The Bench was inspired by her near-death experience where on June 13th, 2020 she was struck by an SUV while on a marked crosswalk. Recounting the experience, she notes:
“As a storyteller, I saw the depressing traumatic experience as an opportunity to share stories of how I overcame, and, also, to share stories of everyday people who, despite daily challenges, choose to inspire others.”
Imuetinyan says that her passion for storytelling began when she was four years old.
“I never learned to read as a child because I was born with cataracts, which are a clouding of the lens in the eyes. I found solace in stories told by uncles, aunts, and neighbors. The lessons from these stories gave color and brightness to my dull world as well as helped me to make sense of the world around me. As a little girl with poor eyesight being raised in a culture that deems children with disabilities as a family curse, I searched to be seen, heard and understood.”
At the age of six, she had her first cataract removal surgery at a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Upon returning to school months later, she says that she was still struggling to see clearly.
“My teachers lacked the patience or skills to accommodate children like myself. As a result, I was beaten repeatedly for failing to meet educational expectations.”
When she was eight, her mother, who was her biggest advocate, concluded that she should drop out of school. Her father had just left for the United States after winning a visa lottery. So she stayed at home to assist her mom with household chores.
At age twelve, a second surgery was performed, and yet, when she returned to school, she still was struggling to see clearly and I noticed that she was far behind in her academics.
In 2002, at the age of 14, Imuetinyan moved to the Bronx, New York with my mother and siblings to reunite with their father, who by then had been living in the States for six years. Describing the significance of this, she adds:
“For me, this was a second chance and I was enrolled in school even though I was still virtually illiterate. There, my ninth-grade social studies teacher took a particular interest in me. He took me to an eye specialist in Manhattan and that was where I learned the first surgery had been botched. Specifically, the surgeon in Nigeria had not placed an artificial lens in my eyes after removing the ones I was born with. I also found out that the vision in my left eye was far worse than in the right. I couldn’t see out of it at all. This was devastating news, though it explained so much about my struggle.”
She received strong prescription eyeglasses and a hand-held magnifier that allowed her with great effort to now read small print.
“At age sixteen, I began to read and attempted a novel for the first time. I only read a few sentences before tears began dripping from my eyes. Not only was I suffering from a terrible eye ache, but I also found that I couldn’t comprehend what I read or pronounce some of the words in the book. In short, my vocabulary was severely limited.”
It was then that she recognized that improving herself would require extraordinary effort.
“I began to jot down words I did not know and search for their meaning in the dictionary. I spent hour after hour memorizing these words and learning their usage. I awakened each morning at 2 a.m. to do the exercises located at the back of grammar books. I spent my savings on books by excellent authors. I read at every opportunity, at bus stops, during car rides, while waiting in restaurants, doctors’ offices, and check-out lines. I read until my eyes grew sore, rejuvenating them with warm compresses.”
With the help of supportive teachers, Imuetinyan says that she completed her secondary education in the Bronx and entered college. In 2011, she graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Cazenovia College, a liberal arts school in upstate New York, majoring in business with a specialization in accounting.
After college, she began searching for a career path that would brings the life out of her. She found out through the process of elimination that it was storytelling adding…
“Pursuing my career as a storyteller wasn’t something that was welcomed by traditional Nigerian parents. But I felt that my need to serve others by telling their stories was greater than my desire to please my parents. This epiphany led to my decision to choose storytelling as my career path. I am now pursuing a graduate degree in Journalism from Georgetown University.”
Asked to describe her earliest experiences with books, she had this to say:
“Honestly, I can't quite remember my first experience of reading a book. However, in my younger years, I had a close friend named Zora, who was two years younger than me, and she was a clever girl. She went to the library every Saturday to read books. She invited me once, but I declined because it would have been a waste of time. When Zora returned from the library, she stopped by my house to share the stories she read. While I washed the dishes, I projected myself into the characters.”
With respect to how the power of books impacted her life both personally and professionally, she offered these thoughts:
“At age twenty, while studying at college, I received a book titled, "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, " as a gift from one of my tutors. The author of the book, Wes Moore, is now the current governor of my state, Maryland, whom I will interview someday :-). Upon finishing the captivating book, I was elated by how well I had absorbed the story. I leaped out of my twin-sized college dormitory bed with excitement. It felt like a gift of infinite possibilities had been bestowed upon me, and it was a beautiful and magical feeling. However, it also felt dangerous.”
This experience, she says, catalyzed her ongoing love of reading.
“I believe that when a person is denied access to great books, they are denied access to wisdom that can enhance their lives. Reading memoirs is a passion of mine, as it offers a glimpse into a world outside our own and allows us to share in someone else's experiences. When I read for leisure, I gravitate towards exquisitely written memoirs about extraordinary individuals. African stories hold a special place in my heart, as they provide a sense of familiarity and a connection to my roots.”
She continues….
“I’ve observed that African writers are often not recognized as they should be in the West. As part of my role, I aim to use my platform to celebrate these exceptional and notable authors.”
I asked Imuetinyan what immediately came to mind when she heard the mission of “Great Books, Great Minds” which is to “ignite a new world of community, connection, and belongingness, one book at a time. She had this to say:
“The moment I came across the Instagram page for "Great Minds, Great Books," I was immediately drawn in and fascinated by the platform which showcases exceptional books by incredible writers. The first word that came to my mind was empowerment.”
She says that a dear friend of hers, who is a writer, shared some invaluable advice at the early stage of her writing career.
“He said to improve one's writing, it is crucial to read great books written by exceptional authors. Similarly, I firmly believe that if we aspire to build a better society, one that is constantly progressing, it is imperative that we collectively immerse ourselves in the works of great minds.”
Asked about how books been a source of community and connection in her own life, Imuetinyan offered this…
“Unfortunately, I do not have a community that shares my passion for reading yet. However, whenever I come across a remarkable book, I make it a point to purchase copies for those around me. I derive immense joy from hearing their thoughts and interpretations of the book and engaging in stimulating conversations about it.”
In terms of what she enjoys outside of reading, Imuetinyan was quick to respond:
“In addition to reading books, I have a passion for traveling. Last year, I gifted myself the opportunity to visit five countries across Europe, including Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom. This year, I have plans to visit Morocco or Turkey. There's something truly special about being able to read about a place and then actually have the chance to visit it. It's almost like magic or a miracle. However, I also acknowledge that traveling to places with a colonial history can evoke a certain type of anger or frustration.”
In terms of what’s next on her list of books to read, she notes…
“I read books in various forms, which includes hardcover and paperback as well as digitally. I also listen to audiobooks I listen to audio, I read hardcover. Currently, I'm currently engrossed in is "Looking for Transwonderland," Noo Saro-Wiwa's memoir. It tells the story of a British Nigerian journalist who travels across Nigeria to explore the country where her father, Ben Saro Wiwa, was both celebrated for his comedy series "Basi and Company" and later executed for his political campaign against Shell, the oil giant.”
Wiwa's poignant words, "In the ten years after my father's death, I returned only twice for very brief visits to attend his official funeral in 2000 and his actual burial in 2005," are truly heart-wrenching.
“Through this book, I am learning about the story and legacy of a remarkable Nigerian hero, something that is not often highlighted in my everyday world. Saro-Wiwa, an environmental and human rights activist, fought for his people and paid the ultimate price. This book exposes me to not only Nigerian history but also I am taking on a journey through Nigeria, the beauty of its landscape, the diverse people, and its rich cultures. I introduced to parts of my home country I never knew existed.”
The other book she’s reading is Ben Okri's latest novel, "The Last Gift of The Master Artists." I'm still in the early stages of reading and trying to fully grasp the concepts presented in this beautifully written book. Lastly, I am immersed in Chinua Achebe's book, "There Was A Country," which is authored by the acclaimed Nigerian writer himself. This marks my second reading of the book, as I was drawn to its insightful nature and the comprehensive account it provides of Nigeria's history. This memoir not only delves into Achebe's life but also chronicles the genesis of his popular novel, "Things Fall Apart" and his writing career.
She offers this concluding thought:
“My work primarily involves empowerment, leadership workshops, entrepreneurship, and soul healing. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned from my years of reading great books is that stories have the power to wound, heal, divide, unite, elevate, and depress. Just like water and air are essential for human survival, stories are crucial for human connections. As a storyteller, my greatest goal is to share stories that inspire positive change in others' lives, just like the stories I heard as a child that brightened my world.”
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Wonderful. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story!
Was happy to share as our world needs inspiration and uplift amid the growing levels of toxicity infiltrating our minds.