United Kingdom-based cultural storyteller, creative curator and co-founder of Odyssey Media House, GbolaJesu Amusa, has said her passion for storytelling was inspired by her father.
Speaking about her early influences, she told Sunday Scoop, “Although I did not grow up immersed in my indigenous environment or have the opportunity to visit my village as frequently as many Nigerians do, my father intentionally used storytelling to keep me connected to my roots.
“Through his stories, he instilled in me a deep sense of identity, belonging and pride in my culture. Those early experiences showed me the power of storytelling—not just as entertainment, but as a tool for preserving heritage, shaping identity and building community. Today, that lesson continues to inspire my work, and I hope to use storytelling to amplify diverse voices and help future generations develop a stronger connection to their own cultural identities.”
Amusa also recalled that after moving to the United Kingdom for her master’s degree, she was surprised by how Africa was often perceived.
According to her, many people viewed Africa as a single country rather than a diverse continent made up of nations with distinct cultures, languages, histories and traditions. She added that African stories were not always told with the depth, authenticity and nuance they deserved, a realisation that motivated her to launch the YouTube series, African Entrepreneurs in Diaspora, and later co-found Odyssey Media House.
