Amaka and The Wise Tree… When COVID-19 lockdown honed creative instinct

The book, Amaka and the wise tree, written by 10-year-old Oluwatobiloba Akapo, a pupil of Corona School, Gbagada, was launched in Lagos last weekend.

The book, which is Akapo’s first published work, is a short children’s story about Amaka, a young girl who constantly disobeyed her parents.

The author said that she wrote the book during the Coronavirus lockdown to make the best use of the time since there were not many academic activities.

Tobilola thanked her parents because they encouraged her to put her thoughts together aside and provided the needed support while writing and publishing the book.

According to her, the storyline was inspired by the news of disobedience among children she had during the lockdown.

Revealing that it took her a week to put the book together, she said the message she wanted to put out is for children to always keep their words no matter the consequences, just as they should not disobey their parents.

Feeling very happy and excited that the book was launched, she applauded her parents for being supportive all the way. “And I thank them very much. My teachers have also been very supportive, as they have been nurturing me and I really thank them.”

Tobiloba said she was not done with writing books as she hopes to write more books in the days ahead.

Tobiloba’s mother, Mrs. Bukola Akapo, who was very excited that the book was launched, said: “I started it because, during the lockdown, children were at home doing nothing.

“I just told them (her children) that instead of being idle they should think of something worthwhile. And I just told her to try her hand at a book and promised that it would be launched and she started and wrote the book.

“I am not surprised she wrote the book because she has shown the trait. The surprise is that as a Yoruba girl, she made the setting that of an Igbo community. It just shows we are one Nigeria and we should be friends and our brothers’ keepers.

“The other surprise was the forward where she dedicated the book to all the teachers that have taught her how to read and write. This, no doubt would encourage the teachers to do more.

“I saw the trait in her and kudos to her schools, they have done a fantastic job as they taught these children how to read and write from a very small age so they can be on their own to express their feelings. I am really happy about that and I have seen that trait while she started school and really manifest in her. “

The Chief Launcher, Group Executive Director of Revolutionplus, Tolulope Onalaja, who was represented by the Group Head, Human Resource, Olusanya Aderinmola, stated that it was exciting that the author at her tender age was able to write a book.

“I see a great and amazing child with so much potential. I am happy that her parents were able to harness her potential. Some parents have kids but are not able to help their kids achieve this level of success. So, I wish Tobiloba the best and the future is bright for her.”