Four young authors from iRise Model School will be unveiling their book titled WELLBEING on 15th July 2022. These young authors are the first graduating pupils of the school based in Igando, Lagos. Their storybook is focused on 5 of the Sustainable Development Goal and how the earth can be healthy for all.
The book publishing is made possible by the sponsorship of Nigerian Copyright Commission, USA Embassy, Accessible Publishers and iRead Mobile Library Network.
When interviewed, one of the children, Ireoluwa Fatukasi, mentioned that their library teacher, Ms Funmi, had been coaching them to read and review various fictional stories. “Last December, she gave all the children free SDGs story books titled ‘The World We Want” and she asked us to create our own stories after reading the book. Myself and my classmates wrote several stories which she reviewed.
I’m very happy that our book will be read by many children,” said Ire. On the part of Sophie Aji-Afana, a co-author, she said the opportunity to get the book published came after a poetry rendition by her and her classmates at the International Intellectual Property Day event hosted by the USA Embassy in April 2022 at Sheraton Hotel. “When we finished our presentation, I collected the microphone and thanked the organisers of the event because of all the information we got on intellectual property and copyright. It was then I mentioned that we were writing our own book too. The Director of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr Asein, announced that day that they would help us publish our book. I was the most excitedly,” concluded Sophie.
Rani Abraham and Okikiola Adewoye said they would be graduating from primary school in a few days’ time and they feel very proud that they could attain the title of authors from primary school. They gave brief insight about the storybook, WELLBEING. Goal 1 is about a family who lost their livelihood due to Covid19 pandemic but they were able to learn vocational skills to get out of poverty. Goal 2 is about a young girl who helped her teacher start a school farm to ensure food security. Goal 3 is about two children who vouched to keep their environment clean so mosquitoes would not have room to breed and everyone can be healthy. Goal 4 is the story of a young girl who could not go to school but was able to access the mobile library.
Her recommendation to have the mobile library visit her community gave birth to a school project and Goal 5 in the book WELLBEING, is about a community where girls are given out in marriage at age 13. This was changed through the intervention of a women group who advocated that when girls get good education, they make better choices.
Funmi Ilori is the founder of iRead Mobile Library Network and her dream is to build the largest library for children in Africa. She is innovating several impactful educational programmes focused on raising children to become readers, writers, seasoned speakers and leaders.
The 4 young authors are products of her primary school and members of her Storywriters academy powered by iRead Library
AUTHORS PROFILES
1) Iretomiwa Elizabeth Fatukasi was born on the 6th of July 2011. She attends iRise Model School, Igando, Lagos. She was elected the library prefect because of her leadership skills and love for reading. She enjoys drawing and writing stories. Her story, ‘Malaria’ was easy to write because of the reality in the environment she lives but more because of her former English teacher, Ms Yemisi Tijani, who always encouraged her to write creatively. She has over 6 unpublished stories.
Her most memorable moment was when she attended the green festival at the Lagos Book and Art Festival, Lagos.
Ire wants to become an artist and a famous fashion designer.
- Rani Cherish Abraham was born on 8th January, 2011. She is the Time prefect of iRise Model School, Igando, Lagos. She loves reading, moulding, drumming and swimming.
Her love for writing inspired her to tackle a societal menace of child-marriage. Why should girls be subjected to early marriage when they can get good education and make better decisions? The book; The World We Want, given to her by iRead Mobile Library, inspired her to write the story, Marriage is not for Girls.
Rani’s most memorable moment was when she met the DG of NCC and other dignitaries at Sheraton Hotels during the International Intellectual Property Day hosted by the USA Embassy, where she and her classmates made a presentation. She would like to become an actor and dancer.
- Sophie Mawena Aji-Afanu was born on 20th May, 2012. She is the Assistant Library prefect at iRise Model School, Igando Lagos. She loves singing, dancing and creating crafts. Sophie believes that every child should get good education as well as handiwork. She was inspired to write her story; The Skill Acquisition Centre, because she sees poor adults who dont have jobs and she wonders why they cannot learn a vocational skill to get out of poverty. At iRead camp, she learnt several skills through reusing wastes to create footwear, hair accessories, bags and crafts which she sells for good amount. No-one should be poor, she admonishes.
Her most memorable moment was when the DG, NCC pledged to publish her first book. She was also excited to meet BB of Big Brother Nigeria and Frank Edowo at the International IP event hosted by the USA Embassy. She wants to become a lawyer like Tanya Hill.
4) Okikiola Toyibat Adewoye was born on 15th March, 2011. She is the Head prefect at iRise Model School Igando, Lagos. She loves singing, reading and styling hair. Okiki’s story, the Mobile Library, was inspired because she sees so many children hawking along her street while she is heading to or returning from school. She believes every community should have a mobile Library so children can have more access to books as well as quality education.
Her most memorable moment was when she represented her school in a poetry competition and she won a personal tablet. She wants to become a song-writer and a medical doctor.
