By Adelowo Adebumiti
Jordan Hill Creative Writing and Reading Workshop, last Wednesday, celebrated young, published authors, as well as hosted the public presentation of their books as part of activities marking this year’s Children’s Day tagged, Story Fest 2020.
The event, which held virtually, attracted young authors comprising school children between the ages of six and 13, parents and guest speakers. Speaking at the event, the media adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, in his keynote, said for Africa to develop and compete with the rest of the world, there is need to be more focus on the young generation, by “catching them young in all spheres of life.”
Abati said government at all levels, especially the Ministries of Education, should support institutions like Jordan Hill.
“Writing is very important, as we live in a world of communication and reading makes a man because it forms an abundance of knowledge. Jordan Hill provides the platform for the young ones to tell their stories,” he said.
Abati urged parents to identify their children’s gift and continue to encourage them in the art of writing, which he said, comes with a lot of hard work.
The chairperson of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer, Corona Schools’ Trust Council, Mrs. Adeyoyin Adesina, told the young authors that they could change the world with their writing.
While saying every child is born with a gift deposited in him or her, she urged the children to have a dream to discover and bring out the gifts stored in them.
Adesina, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Corona Education Trust, charged them to identify a problem in their immediate environment and use their idea to create a solution.
“Your creativity is built through your imagination, the world needs your solution, remember that many children across the world have made great differences, believe in your dreams, develop relationships that can keep your dreams in line with your vision,” she said.
She also urged them not to limit themselves to schoolbooks, which she said would only give them good grades but to read books about great achievers who have impacted the world.
According to Educational Director, Jordan Hill, Mrs. Adeola Eze, this year’s event is not just about the celebration of children, but of talents that young children possess.
She said: “The theme of this year’s celebration is one not just founded on truth, but it calls for great reflection – One Child. One Dream. One Nation. It’s no new story that the children of today will become leaders of tomorrow. How are we giving them the right platforms to develop and cultivate their ideas into plans to move the country forward?”
She urged children not to give up on their dream and keep pushing at it, adding that someday, they too will be celebrated as one of the world’s greats.
“To parents also, note your children’s interest, it is better to catch them young. Do not delay in aiding them to discover their talents early, and take an interest in their ideas. Only then will their confidence peak and their talents shine to the ends of the earth,” she said.
The educational director urged stakeholders to join hands together and transform Nigeria’s educational system into one that is centred on the development of the talents of future leaders, stressing that everyone has to be on this journey together, for the sake of the children.
Elena in the Woods by Mofifunolwa Atilola, Battle of the Heroes by Oluwatito Arije, Moonstones in Wolf Land by Oluwabori Arije, The Life of an Exciting and Brilliant Boy by Temiloluwa Modele, Treasures on the Run- a collection of short stories by 13 your writers were the books launched at the virtual book launch.
The highlight of the event was the launch of the maiden edition of Unleashed Magazine, the official brand of Jordan Hill, termed to be an excellent magazine with rich content for children, parents and teachers by the reviewer, Mrs. Olubunmi Aboderin- Talabi, immediate past executive chairperson of WIMBIZ.
