Soyinka, Okonjo-Iweala, Ogunlesi, Awe, Nwankwo featured in children’s books

Nobel Laureate and playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka; former Nigerian Minister of Finance and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; business mogul and global investor, Adebayo Ogunlesi; foremost academic and African historian, Professor Bolanle Awe; and renowned footballer and former captain of the Super Eagles, Kanu Nwankwo, have been featured as heroes in a children’s book series.

During the launching of the book series—on Wednesday in Ibadan, in partnership with the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mentoring Assistance for Youths and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEIN)—the organisers of the event noted that the event was in commemoration of the World Book and Copyright Day 2025, with the theme ‘The role of literature in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’. Edem Ossai, the author of the five children’s books and founder of MAYEIN, stated that she wrote the books to capture the inspirational lives and journeys of some of Nigerian distinguished achievers within the reach and understanding of children in a story format and also in a way they can enjoy, digest, and get motivated by them.

The five books ─ in one series titled ‘Role Model Series for Children, Volume 1’ and published by Purplebloom Publishers ─ encapsulate the earlier lives, educational backgrounds, careers, achievements, and the significance of the impacts of Soyinka, Okonjo-Iweala, Ogunlesi, Awe, Nwankwo. The books also show how the lives of these luminary Nigerians can inspire children and young people to greatness.

Commenting on the books, Ossai stressed that many children today encounter heroes and great people who are foreign to them, people they cannot relate to.

“This is the purpose of these books ─ to tell the stories of our real local heroes, like the ones we are celebrating today,” she said.

She hinted that by November of this year, she will be launching the second volume of the children’s book series about great Nigerians who are making local and international impacts.

“In a globalised world, this rich series gives African children the deep awareness and information resources needed to boldly walk into global chat rooms without ever shrinking,” she added.

Ossai and her NGO seized the opportunity of the book launch and the World Book and Copyright Day to commission a library and digital centre in Eleyele community of Ibadan, to promote the reading and digital culture of the local community and its environs.

The chairman of the event, Professor Francis Egbokhare, said that the future of a nation depends on the people they make their heroes, stressing that every generation has to look for the character traits, quality of humanity, and excellent spirit they want to project for them to be relevant on the global stage.

Professor Egbokhare stated that what the author has achieved with the books was beyond inspiring children, that she has also projected the right heroes with excellent spirit, and the right views of how Nigerians, especially children, can relate to the world.

Adejoke Oyekan, founder and CEO of Purplebloom Publishers, publisher of the books, emphasised that the children’s book series by Edem Ossai is a celebration of heritage, a reclaiming of narrative, and a means of planting powerful seeds in the minds of children, adding that it is experience and wisdom that raise a child, not just money.

“These books are going to touch lives and inspire a new generation. These stories matter because they give our children mirrors, not just windows. They matter because they will help our children say, ‘Yes, I can,’” Oyekan said.

Professor Niyi Osundare, poet and literary critic, in his keynote address titled ‘MAYEIN’s dream, Nigeria’s future’, admonished society to work with MAYEIN to put a book in the hands of every child, stressing Ossai’s words: “If I can just put a book on the tray, it could change the child’s life.”

Professor Osundare stressed that mobile and small physical libraries in under-resourced neighbourhoods would be an effective way to provide reading support and literacy resources to poorer and marginalised children who were out of normal school settings.

“Let the world rise to her aid as she strives to put a book in the hand of every child,” he said.

Bolaji Oladepo, the book series reviewer and veteran broadcaster, described Soyinka, Okonjo-Iweala, Ogunlesi, Awe, and Nwankwo as inspiring role models every child should emulate.

Oladepo lamented that children have been reading books about other people, but this book by Edem Ossai is about the stories of distinguished Nigerians that everyone, including children, knows about. In light of this, he urged everyone to buy the books. He admonished parents to buy the books for their children, and schools to purchase copies for their libraries.

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There was a panel session titled ‘Storytelling and nonfiction books as a didactic tool in children’s development and social advancement’, which was moderated by Kawthar Omisore. In the panel were Edmond Obilo, broadcaster at Bilficon Media, and Ebun Feludu, founder of Kokari Coconuts.

The panel stated that Nigeria does not have enough children’s books to guide and inspire children and that some of the stories in children’s texts are not properly told.

The panelists stressed that books should not just be seen as materials to pass examinations but also as a tool for learning, developing, and making an impact. They further stated that books are able to take children on an adventure.

In light of this, they said that book clubs should be encouraged in local communities, and writers and publishers should be supported to produce quality books.

They advised children to improve their mental alertness and critical thinking skills, and try to know as much as they can about everything, adding that, as a child, “If you fail, it is your fault; if you succeed, it is your glory.”

Professor Olufemi Bamiro, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan; Julie McKay, Public Affairs Officer, the United States Embassy in Nigeria; Helen Chatburn, Deputy Head of School, Ibadan International School; Dr Grace Oluwatayo, founder and executive director of Lifebuilder; Ronke Giwa, author and broadcaster, among others, delivered goodwill messages.

Many secondary school students from across Ibadan attended the book launch, and some of their teachers received awards of excellence from MAYEIN for their contributions to the teaching profession.

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