The launch of The Colour of Silence, a new children’s fantasy novel by Yekini Raji held on January 21, 2026 at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Alausa, Lagos.

The book launch attracted writers, educators, medical professionals and lovers of literature to an evening of reflections and celebrations.

Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director of Beachland Hospital,, Dr Imran Ademola, while welcomingguests, described the book as a reminder that silence is not always empty, saying, silence can speak, observe and demand deeper listening.

Ademola expressed gratitude to special guests, partners and all those who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event. According to him, the gathering was not merely a celebration of a publication, but a moment to honour creativity and thoughtful storytelling.

The keynote speech was delivered by the Editor of Weekend Guardian, Dr Kabir Alabi Garba, who offered an extensive reflection on the themes and moral depth of the book. He described The Colour of Silence as a quiet yet confident work that resists spectacle and rewards attentiveness.

Garba noted that the story could only have been written by someone who understands listening as an active and courageous act.

He explained that while the novel appears at first glance to be a fantasy tale, featuring a young boy named Abba, a world stripped of colour and sound, and an ancient flute imbued with memory, its true strength lies in its emotional intelligence. Rather than presenting silence as a simple enemy, the book frames it as a product of unspoken grief, buried pain and neglected memory.

Garba observed that the narrative reflects modern society’s tendency to amplify noise while neglecting genuine listening. He said the book challenges readers to recognise that silence itself is not the problem, but rather unacknowledged sorrow. He highlighted the restraint of the story’s moral vision, noting that Abba does not defeat silence through destruction, but through understanding and transformation.

In his review of the book, Chief Executive Officer of Mafazat Comprehensive High School,Prof AbdulLateef Kelani, recommended the text for senior secondary school students, undergraduates studying English, literature or communication, as well as candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

He described the book’s tone as lyrical and suggested that misconceptions about its themes should be clearly addressed. He also encouraged the author to consider producing a study guide to support classroom use.

In his remarks, Raji spoke about on inspiration behind the book, revealing that it was loosely influenced by his 12-year old son and his flute. He said that although the book is written for children, it also serves as a guide for parents, reminding adults that teaching children is a process of learning.