Thirteen-year-old Ireyimika Oladele-Ojo has launched her debut young adult drama book titled ‘The Female’s Duty’, which was inspired by her mother.
Ireyimika, a senior secondary school (SSS 1) student, while launching the book on Saturday in Ibadan, said it took her about five to seven months to finish the book due to writer’s block and irregular power challenges.
“My mom inspired me to write the book by teaching me the value of being responsible,” she said. “She always encourages me not only to be good at academics but also at chores and other activities at home.”
‘The Female’s Duty’ explores family relationships through the lives of Mr and Mrs Emma and their daughter Rose. It encapsulates everyday life in homes through the themes of family, friendship, and society.
Ireyimika urged young people to read the book and benefit from the wisdom in it. She advised young people to be responsible at home and obey their parents as well.
Adejoke Oyekan, the founder of Purplebloom Publisher, who published the book, commended the parents of Ireyimika for inspiring and supporting her in writing the book, which she said was no small feat.
Oyekan stated that Purplebloom is always interested in children’s and young people’s stories, and has published three of such books.
“It is good to encourage children and young people to write books that tell their unique stories,” she said. “Books are intellectual works, and it is good for children and young people to own such works at an early age.”
Dr Lola Ayo-Fashida, the mother of the young author, said her daughter wrote the book from the lessons she learnt from her – that a girl child should be responsible at home, school and society.
“The book teaches that academic excellence is not the only essential for success in life,” Ayo-Fashida said.
During the book’s unveiling and launch, the publisher, Oyekan, said the book ought to be on shelves of every home and school, and in the hands of young people and their parents and teachers. She added that the book can be found in many bookshops around and outside of Ibadan.
Before the launch of the book, there was a children’s event tagged ‘Children Praise and Pray’ organised by the Outpour of the Fragrance Initiative (OFI).
The founder of the initiative, Dr Ayo-Fashida, said this was the seventh anniversary of OFI, and their mission is to make life better for children, teenagers, young adults, and women.
She added that the programmes organised by OFI include Love4JAMB, business grants for single mothers, Beautifying His Jewel, Back-to-School,Jackies Hub, Pad our Beauties, and Children Praise and Pray (CPP).
Seventeen-year-old Jahsmine Adesoji, a second-year Medicine student at the Afe Babalola University, gave the sermon, which was based mostly on salvation.
The CPP event featured songs, prayers, quizzes, and games by children. Music and other performing groups including − but not limited to − Fragrant Voices, Praise Sax, Mofstick, and Tabitha Home featured at the event.
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