Encomiums For 13 Year-Old Christians Babalola On His Author's Debut

Thirteen-year-old Christian Olalekan Babalola was the cynosure of all eyes on Saturday, October 7, as school owners, children, and guests celebrated him on the successful presentation of his book, ‘Mary And The Hidden Island.

The book launch, which took place in one of the conference halls of the prestigious Novare Central, Wuse-Abuja, also marked his debut appearance as an author. 

A creative teen, Christian Olalekan Babalola, described himself as being talented in several ways, including writing and acting. According to him, the journey to becoming an author began when he was five years old. The real journey, he then stressed, took off with the support and encouragement he received from his parents. 

He therefore advised young ones like him to add value to whatever support they received from their parents by developing their talents with result-oriented tasks.  

The young author, who was overwhelmed by the accolade poured on him by his peers, parents, teachers, and other guests at the occasion, also called on parents and guardians never to fail in nurturing the talents in their children and wards to wake up their creative sparks. 

“I want to encourage mommies and daddies present here to pay close attention to the skills of their children to bring out the best in their children.”

While speaking on behalf of other children at the event, Rhema, the author's younger brother talked about a moral lesson he learned from the book.

According to Rhema, also a talented teen, the major lesson is one which admonished young people to note that the success of one is not proof that the other one is a failure. It means, he said, that one's time is coming. 

"The fact that others are succeeding does not mean that you are failing. So be patient your own time of success will come."

One of the keynote speakers at the event, Mrs. Dunke Abiri, who is the director of Blooming Heritage Schools, Abuja, described the teen author as a very energetic young star with a penchant for creative thinking. 

Mrs Abiri, who agreed with the author on the need for parental support, urged parents to pay close attention to creative traits exhibited by their children, particularly as they indulge in creative plays. 

According to her, support is needed for such children to blossom and unlock their potential. 

Further describing the young author as inquisitive and active, Mrs Abiri, an accomplished proprietor, added that the author needs more support as he seems to possess all the traits of a genius. 

Another speaker, Mrs. Chioma Diru, a children's book author, dwelt on the need to unlock the creativity that is embedded in everyone, including teens. 

The Children's author who highlighted the logic of creativity summed up in the ICE acronym, (Inspiration, Creativity, and Excellence) shared further tips on how to source story ideas. 

According to her, success in writing is possible when would-be authors learn first to adopt an excellent attitude to ensure that they stay focused without being deviated by inherent challenges.