The ‘Home from Home’ project aims to explore the legacies of pioneering British Nigerians in the UK and their impact on society. The project highlights and celebrates British Nigerian contributions to the cultural, political, educational, artistic, spiritual, and sporting life of Britain and London, in particular. In this interview we feature content creator and crime fiction author Stella Oni.
Who is Stella?
I work as a Technical Writer by day and a content creator and crime fiction author by night. I write and create videos and audio across Food, Art and Technology. My first crime fiction was a police procedural, “Deadly Sacrifice,” featuring Detective Toks Ade, the first black female police detective in UK fiction. It was shortlisted for the SI Leeds Literary Prize and was an Audible Crime and Thriller pick. I have contributed short stories to several anthologies, including “Midnight Hour” published by Crooked Lane.
I am currently writing book two of the Toks Ade Mystery series and book 1 of a new contemporary crime mystery, The London House Mystery series.
What does “Home From Home” mean to you?
Home from home is a place you call home other than where you were born or grew up. It has been both great and bittersweet to have the perspectives of two culture in me.
How do you celebrate your Nigerian heritage?
I love to showcase Nigerian food and write about Nigerian characters. I am proud of what Nigerians are achieving all over the world.
What does being “British Nigerian” mean to you?
It means that I have both culture in me. That mix is an interesting one that I am exploring. I think it is pretty much the same for every British Nigerian. We just have different ways of expressing this.
How do you stay connected to your identity?
I love to showcase our food and to eat our food. I am always proud when my readers ask for recipe of food articles that I have written.
What does culture mean to you?
Culture is having pride in who you are and celebrating this.
I have both Yoruba royalty and Edo culture in me and celebrate the richness of my background. It also allows me to celebrate the British Fish and Chips and British comedy.
What do you imagine the future of the British Nigerian Community to look like in the next few years based on your industry?
It is going to be very bright. We excel in academics and there is respect for our film and music industry. There is also a growing awareness for our food. A Nigerian recently won a Michelin Star!
Links to website/Social Media:
X – https://twitter.com/sonithewriter
Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@stellaonithewriter
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stellaonithewriter/
Threads – @stellaonithewriter@threads.net
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sonithewriter
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-oni-msc-065788140/
Website – https://stellaonithewriter.com/
Watch this great video featuring Stella.
