Meet Divinefavour Ndada: Winner Poetry Category at WWMFESTIVAL 2025

WWMF: What inspired the concept behind your winning piece? (Did music inspire you at any time and what song or songs were they?)

DF: The idea came from my personal relationship with rest. My life moves fast community work, performances, writing, directing creatives and I noticed that my mind only truly clears when I slow down. I wanted to capture that quiet moment when everything finally settles. I had soft music playing, but honestly, it was the silence that helped me the most.

WWMF: Was there a particular moment when you knew the poem had “clicked”?

DF: Yes. When I wrote, “Rest becomes the calm river where my thoughts learn to float again,” I paused. It felt real, like something inside me opened up. That line told me the poem had found its direction.

WWMF: What themes did you most want to explore, and why?

DF: I wanted to talk about healing, and that gentle kind of creativity that comes from peace. I’m always creating and working with people, and I’ve learnt that growth isn’t always loud. Sometimes it happens in small, quiet moments.

 WWMF: Which part of the piece was the hardest to write, and how did you overcome that challenge?

DF: Page poetry is not the same as spoken word. Since the audience wasn’t strictly poets, the hardest part was keeping the poem simple without making it feel empty. I wanted softness, but also depth. I overcame it by slowing down and allowing the images to come naturally instead of forcing anything.

WWMF: Can you walk us through your writing process for this submission, from idea to final draft?

DF: I actually discovered the contest late, I didn’t have days, I had hours. I wrote the first draft in one stretch. After that, I kept adjusting the flow, making the transitions feel like a slow breath. I approached it the way I do spoken word: feel first, structure later.

WWMF: What does your revision process typically look like? Do you have any rituals or habits that helped shape this piece?

DF: I read my poems out loud. That’s the only way I hear the rhythm clearly. Midnight is usually my best writing time, the environment is calm and my mind is honest.

WWMF: Were there any surprising changes the poem took along the way?

DF: Yes. The more I edited it, the softer it became. I thought that softness might weaken it, but it actually made the poem stronger.

WWMF: How has your writing journey led to this moment?

DF: My journey has always been about using art to understand myself and the world around me. From performing to working with communities, writing has been my anchor. This win reminds me that the quieter parts of me also carry power.

WWMF: Who are the writers, mentors, or experiences that have influenced your style the most?

DF: Experience. The people I work with, the communities I lead, the creatives around me, and the realities I witness. I’m inspired by writers who use simple words with depth, people like TheGift, ManueldPoet, Sir Grrraciano, but life itself has shaped me the most.

 

WWMF: What does winning this contest mean to you personally and creatively?

DF: It means a lot. It’s encouraging. I pour into people constantly, building communities and supporting creatives, so this win feels like something poured back into me. I’m grateful to the organizers.

WWMF: How do you hope readers will respond to or interpret your piece?

DF: I hope it makes people slow down and breathe. I hope it reminds them that rest isn’t laziness, it’s clarity. If someone reads it and feels understood or comforted, that’s enough for me.

WWMF: What projects are you excited to work on next?

DF: I’m working on Poetry on the Street, the first intercommunal poetry slam in Lagos, involving all five major divisions: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe. It’s a big project, and I’ll need support to make it happen. We already tested it this year and over 800 creatives showed up. I also have personal writing projects exploring healing, identity,

WWMF: Do you have anything exciting (or delightfully boring!) you might treat yourself to with the prize?

DF:  Something simple, a good meal, a quiet day, maybe a new book.

WWMF: Do you have any advice for emerging writers preparing for competitions?

DF: Write honestly. Don’t chase “deep”, chase truth. And please rest. A tired mind will sabotage you. Join communities, your journey is easier when you’re not running alone.

WWMF: Drop your social media handles so that readers and fans can connect with you.

DF: My handles Instagram: @divinefavourndada_