The organisers of the High School Prize for Literature (HSPL) have launched the debut novel of one of its finalists and students of Bodija International College (BIC) in Ibadan, Ameenah Lateef, titled ‘In Search of Freedom’.
Ameenah’s book was recently launched in her school amid her family, friends, teachers, school management, and the HSPL organisers.
Ameenah, who is also the current head girl of BIC, was in grade 11 at the time she entered the HSPL competition. Her book, which was a product of the competition, is now regarded as an ‘HSPL Award-winning book’.
The convener of HSPL, Olarotimi Ojo, while speaking on ‘The Vision and the Future’, stated that the essence of the HSPL initiative is to promote young writers to the level that they will be widely read. He enjoined parents and schools of young writers to encourage them to participate in the competition.
“Our future aspiration for this project is to see our children grow. Ameenah’s book and other books from the competition will be entered for the NLNG Prize for Literature. The books were enacted in a competition, and we will continue to enter them for competitions,” he said.
Ojo stated that this was the maiden edition of the prize, which received more than 3000 entries, from which a long list of 60 was first drawn and later a list of four finalists.
Beullah John came in first in the competition with her work, ‘Milestone Cornerstone’. Before Beullah entered for the prize, she was at Royal People’s College Apete, Ibadan, but after winning the prize, the director of BIC, Olumide Eso, gave her a three-year full scholarship to BIC.
Chioma Nkwo from Oladapo Alayande School of Science, Ibadan, came in second with her work, ‘My Opposite’. Ameenah Lateef came in third with her work, ‘In Search of Freedom’. Ayomide Adeniyi from Amao College, Moniya, Ibadan, came in fourth in the competition with his work, ‘Hurricane’.
According to Ojo, the four books by the finalists have been adopted in the official list of books for the Oyo State Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for four years.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Professor Abdulwaheed Soliu, represented by Mrs Oyerinde Feyisara, stated that the HSPL is a commendable initiative that is helping young people in the state to be writers, adding that that is what the government stands for too: the encouragement of the cultivation and production of knowledge.
The commissioner, who said that through literature, people learn about their history and develop empathy for others, stressed that there is no right or wrong way to write.
“It is important to cultivate a love for reading and writing. Writing competitions encourage young people to develop their writing skills and to connect with other writers and creatives,” the commissioner said.
The principal of BIC, Franklyn Dairo, said no one was born a reader or a writer and that people nurture their interest in reading or writing at home or in school. He listed, among other things, how hundreds of young writers like Ameenah Lateef can be produced in society.
The chairman of the event, Mr. Yomi Salami, noted that writing, dancing, and performing arts are professions that need to be nurtured for Nigeria’s future and development. He added that the future of Nigeria is in the hands of young people who will carry out the responsibilities of the country in 10 or 20 years.
The director of the school, Olumide Eso, while speaking on ‘Your talent and your future’ said Ibadan people need to go back to the time when Ibadan was a citadel of great writers.
In light of this, he admonished the students to harness their talents and passions and make something great from them the way Ameenah did.
“The reason we are doing all this is to encourage the students to go out there and give it their best. Your talent is as important as your skills. So, pick up your pens and do yourselves proud,” Eso said.
Olabisi Ogundiran from the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), represented by Adeola Apara, spoke on ‘The copyright and your work’. She enjoined creatives, especially young writers like Ameenah, to know their rights as regards their works and also endeavour to protect their work through legal means and contracts.
Furthermore, Ogundiran listed the benefits of copyrighting creative works and the punishment associated with copyright violations.
In the course of the event, Olumide Eso was made the life patron of HSPL, while the Dean of Arts at Lead City University, Dr. Anjola Rabbin, and veteran Nollywood actress Yeye Toyin were made matron of the literature prize.
Before the launch of the book, three students of the school—Momoreoluwo Okewole, Adegoke Adeniyi, and Seyifunmi Oke read some chapters of the book.
There were also musical and dance performances by some students of the school.
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