A 7- year-old Araola Ola-Awakan, has unveiled a collection of poems in Lagos. The child author achieved a notable feat in the literary world with her book of poetry titled “My First Book of Poems”, a collection of 30 poems that explores several areas of her life from being ‘left-handed’, her mother’s glasses and even mundane things like her Bed, Old Basket and Tablet.
The event was held at the Ibeshe Housing Estate Community Hall in Ikorodu and was a two-part occasion which included the celebration of her 7th birthday.
Her father, award-winning broadcast journalist and playwright, Mr. Ola Awakan, revealed that the event is dedicated to all children and it stands to encourage and reassure them that they can become whatsoever they aspire to be in life. He further urged parents and guardians to give children the opportunity for self-expression with lots of encouragement as they are the future of our nation.
“The more we encourage them, the more we build a better future for our nation but it all starts from the home. We need to build a good home for our children and put them in the right light, so in the coming future, they will be better leaders and give us a nation better than what we have now”
The book reviewer, Mrs Tope Israel, a celebrated educator and head teacher of Reign In Life International School, also shared her views on how children’s creativity are being stifled by adults. She pointed out that when an out-of the normalcy trait is found in a child like being a lefty, parents and guardians should not insist on changing the child’s natural preference but should instead encourage and give them space for growth.
She continued that in order to build children in speech and vocabulary, their parents should always listen. “When you listen to them, you build up their vocabulary and confidence. But nowadays, parents are shutting them, saying they talk too much causing them to stop talking and not building up their vocabulary.
Parents should listen more to their children, see the spark in them and fan it till it glows”
Mrs Tope Israel also commended Araola’s book of poems revealing it as an interesting guide to seeing life and perspectives from the eye of a child. She also commended Ara’s parents for giving her the room for self-expression, urging parents around the world to grant their wards the same as it will bring the best out of them.
The entire poem collection was later performed in a quirky yet light-hearted presentation to the admiration of the audience by the Gifted Steppers, an award winning children theatre group famous for their arts and culture perfomances.
Mrs Omolola Ola-Awakan, the poet’s mother revealed that she noticed her interest in creative writing since she was 2 years and she was fond of always writing as far as scribbling on any piece of paper, writing letters to friends and family on their birthday and requesting for a diary to record poems and stories. She reiterated that she was proud that her daughter discovered her creative side and urges parents to stand firm with their children in their journey of self-discovery
Araola’s book launch was attended by family, friends, arts patrons as well as well-wishers.
Tolulope Ayileka
