At 15, Oyenike Oyeneye’s intelligence belies
her age. The budding author, whose first book
titled, The black ice corridor has just been
published, says she was inspired by her father
to delve into writing.
“I was inspired after reading some of the
things he wrote,” she says.
Young Oyeneye’s ‘little’ new novel explores the
themes of marriage, love, divorce, family
relationship, as well as spirituality in human
existence. Interestingly they were areas
hitherto considered to be the exclusive
preserve of the ‘experienced.’


Explaining why she chose the themes, she
continues, “I realised that I could write about
love, family and marriage. So I read many
Christian novels that focused on such themes.


I just hope that single men and women will
always take their time to study their partners
before going into marriage. Many are quick to
classify any relationship they are involved in
as ‘God given.’ I advise them to pray about it
instead. The characters in my novel for
instance, did not have the spiritual back-up;
they just got married without seeking the face
of God.”


Clearly awed by her achievement at such a
young age, the author describes the book as
the product of sleepless nights, painstaking
research that lasted a year and raw
determination.


“I tried to write several other novels in the
past, but I never concluded any of them. I
always find myself stopping or abandoning
them mid-way. But this novel is unique in the
sense that I realized, right from the first day,
that I was going to complete it. I was in my
school library when I just picked up a new note
and began to pen down my thoughts. I only
stopped midway when I was about to write my
final exams,” she says.


At an age some of her peers are yet to choose
careers, Oyeneye says she has found hers and
it is all clearly mapped out.
“I want to be a lawyer because I feel justice
can still be restored in Nigeria. I know God has
laid it in my heart as one of those who will
bring back justice to the country,” she says.


With The black ice corridor, Oyeneye has
added her name to the growing list of
emerging writers in Nigeria.

Source: Punch.

interesting

She isn't the youngest please, I've read something co written by a set of twin boys at eleven. It was horrible, but it's still a published work. So fifteen isn't so spectacular for me anymore.

A lot of talents in Nigeria, a lot of talented people, they just need to be encouraged by the government.

Illuminatus:
She isn't the youngest please, I've read something co written by a set of twin boys at eleven. It was horrible, but it's still a published work. So fifteen isn't so spectacular for me anymore.

But for the attempt she made at that young age, she needs to be commended. It shows she will go places. It shows she has potentials. Let's encourage talents like this. This is what we need in this country to help develop Nigeria and take Nigeria to greater heights.