Hey there!
It is always exciting to bring you a themed edition, mainly because it is such a joy to sit back and see the robust interpretations that the imaginations of our writers cook up. We asked for Niger Delta–focused science fiction stories, and I dare say the writers we bring to you in this issue absolutely ate that assignment!
We sought futuristic stories that could fall within cyberpunk, climate fiction, African futurism, solarpunk, biopunk, eco–sci-fi, political sci-fi, alternate history, time travel, space exploration, AI, and robotics. The Niger Delta exists in southern Nigeria, but for this issue, we received submissions from across Africa.
We got some pretty interesting stories, many of which engage meaningfully with the region. I can tell you for free that the writers seem to agree that the Niger Delta’s future may be bleak, and that restoration and environmental justice will only be achieved, and sustained, by the brave.
In Waterbringer, Amina must endure loss and a painful journey to secure much-needed water for her people in a contaminated land, in exchange for a most precious item. However, a glitch in the enemy’s machine pushes her into taking some daring steps. A Time Like This shows us that we can never fully erase the past in our giant technological strides into the future, unless technology is made to serve humanity and nature. And sometimes, only the brave and fearless can make this happen for the benefit of all.
Did you think ancestors and deities would be dead and forgotten in the future? GbeneBeka: The Gospel According to Wiayor shows us what courage can look like when technology seeks to control the supernatural. In The Smuggler of the Wet Gene, we meet Orire—a genetic scientist by day and smuggler by night—struggling to save lives with biocodes suspended in liquid genes, while simultaneously evading cyborg cops.
The Last Fisherman of Oporoza is not just brave; he is someone who knows he is suspended, stuck in a loop that returns to the beginning once night falls. Can he succeed in altering the loop, or will failure become a permanent part of this mind-altering cycle? I’ll leave you to find out as you read.
Enjoy!
P.S.
The only loop you are allowed to get stuck in is one where you are sharing and resharing this Niger Delta Issue of Omenana. Lol.
Iquo Diana Abasi
Waterbringer | Ikechukwu Henry
GbeneBeka: The Gospel According to Wiayor | Seun Lari-Williams
