Children urged to be responsible, uphold good morality

In a bid to bring sanity to the polity, children have been urged to be more responsible and maintain good morality and a healthy lifestyle.Mr. Okochi Benjamin made this call at a book launch titled: My stubborn ends today written by O’Ben ; a pen name – a short form of his name Okochi Benjamin. The book is to assist youths to become responsible leaders of the society.

Benjamin charged parents and guardians to see the need to promote morals and well upbringing among children early enough. “Since children are precious gifts from God,” they should be handled with gratitude, saying that the book would assist families in the noble responsibility. However, they should use the ‘catch them young syndrome’.

Mr. Okochi tells the story of a young adolescence boy Chika from the Eastern part of Nigeria and who later relocated to the North part of the country; that would stop at nothing to be independent, expressive and inquisitiveness lifestyle despite coming from a humble background.

It’s a fictional story spurred from the reality of a young lad in today’s distracting and materialistic world where he wants to be himself without discipline. Understanding the sensitivity of the subject matter, allowed O’ Ben the child’s moral advocate, captivate the yearning minds by using a clear language and controversial style of writing in order to give the book a reality tone. His style unwittingly makes the book, a desirable reading for parents and children who love to read adventures local settings of the Igbo community and urban area of Kano City. The book deals on good moral values and sound discipline for the benefit for students.

The Author treats topical issues that a child or parents can relate to, introduced the children to an interesting adventure and life style of a stubborn boy [Chika], his challenges, ignorance and naivety. Chika was also described as a smart local champion boy from the rural Igbo area who exhibited some foolish and natural inborn traits, who would have done well in his chosen path, if he had listened to his parents and family.

The beautifully illustrated book highlighted the character of Chika as a delinquent from an Igbo village was difficult and problematic but could not listen to his parents, it took the collective effort of the grandfather who is a disciplinarian had to relocated to Kano state to live with his son Charles due to ill –health.

The book is based on psychological study of young ones, together with professional approaches recommended by childcare experts. The language is simple and interesting humours. The author painted and showcased the turning point of Chika’s life, when he burnt his fingers by landing at the police station with other boys, for not heeding to simple instruction from Uncle Charles. It teaches moral lesson for every growing child and would equip him /her to develop to a responsible mature adult and a must read and have book for parents, guardian, teacher and everybody.

The book is published by B’World Communications Nigeria, with 7 chapters across the 82 pages. According to the author, his inspiration for the book comes from God and passion for children, being a teacher, counselor and creative writer, O’Ben holds the belief that any child’s book worth its name must be able to point a child to the right direction. He is a unique writer, poet and economist with several publications on literature and economic books to his credits.