David Odiase, known by the moniker “The 78th Psalmist,” is a storyteller and multi-disciplinary artist who tells conscious African stories through poetry, performance, film, docu-poetry, and experimental art forms.
His poetry films have made official selections at international film festivals such as the African International Film Festival held in Nigeria, Zebra Poetry Festival, in Germany, and was a finalist at the 2023 Emmys’ International young creative award.
An Alumni of the Obsidian Foundation Poetry Retreat, He has given readings at platforms such as at the National Poetry Library, Uk, the Live Literature festival in Slovenia and performances at Open Society Foundation’s Global Convening for the Restitution of African Heritage in Ghana, Lagos International Poetry Festival, the Oceanside Theatre San Diego among others.
Having worked on projects with bodies such as Goethe institute, Change.org, The Canadian High Commission, he actively strives to change stereotypes about the continent and was recently supported by African No Filter for his project ‘Benin did not die, she sends her regards’ which seeks to advocate for the return of the Benin Bronzes.
He was awarded the Kudo Eresia-Eke Performance Poetry Prize, Winner of the Poetry Archive Now! Wordview , Lacasera National Poetry Slam, and the Ekonke African Storytellers Prize.
David is currently the community manager of TrueMyVoice, a literary community of over 500 storytellers across Nigeria, where he helps groom them to apply their art, as a tool for advocacy and social change.