“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”
– Phillip Pullman
On Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Tolu Odugbemi Hall, University of Lagos, the University of Lagos Staff School held a public presentation of story books written by young authors of the University of Lagos Staff School Creative Club.
The authors, dressed in beautiful attires, were a beauty to behold.
The books and their respective authors are:
- Behind the Walls by Chimamanda Yvonne Anyagwa
- A Wife is not Enough by Doyinsola Adewumi
- A Seed in the Sun by Maxine Olajide
- Glittering Tears by Eyinjuoluwa Babatunde
- There is More Ahead by Ifeyimika Abisodun Ifedamisi
- Tears on Blood by Aasiyah Oduwole
- Shadow in a Hole by Ifedara Odunlade Ifedamisi
- Stench that Scares by Theresa Balouga
- Jumping the China Wall by Abdulfatah Oduwole
The story books, with creative story lines and insightful angles, were edited and supervised by the Director of Staff School Creative Arts Club, Mr. Ifetayo Ifedamisi Ambali.
The Headmistress, Dr. (Mrs.) Ajayi welcomed the audience to the event. She stated that the histpry of wrting story books in the school started in 2003 and since about 42 storybooks including those launched at the event, with some still in the writing phase. She encouraged/pleaded with parents to allow their children become a bit matured before enrolling them in primary school. Children should not be rushed so they can live up to their parents’ expectations. They have different potentials and levels of learning. She appreciated the University Management for its continuous support. She also encouraged pupils of the school to seize the opportunity to unleash their creative potential. To Mr. Ifedayo Ambali, she gave a lot of accolades for training the children, most especially during the lockdown period.
The Vice-Chancellor, in his address, celebrated the young authors and their parents. He thanked the parents for encouraging and nurturing the gift of writing in the young children. He charged parents to continue to encourage their children and not to give up on them as writing as a skill is gradually diminishing in schools. He appreciated Mr. Ambali and other teachers and encouraged them to keep nurturing the pupils of the school as well. He enjoined them to collaborate with the academics in English Department and Faculty of Education to maximise the God-given talent in the children.
The story books were reviewed by various people and launched successfully with huge amounts.
The event was graced by the presence of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, ably represented by the Director, Quality Assurance and SERVICOM, Prof. Grace Otinwa; Registrar, Oladejo Azeez, Esq., represented by Deputy Registrar, Registrar’s office, Mr. Michael Uwakwe; University Librarian, Dr. Yetunde Zaid; parents of the authors; random parents, pupils and well-wishers.
