Books

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Chimdindu Ositadimma Igwenagu, an 18 year-old author, focuses on how children should broaden their approach and perception of the society

Title:  Wasted Gift

Author:  Chimdindu Ositadimma Igwenagu

Reviewer:  Okafor Chinwe

Publisher:  God’s Glory Press

Price:  N200

Year of Publication:  2012 

IT IS rather very difficult to say whether a teenage boy of 18 years can really understand and master the environment or society in which he finds himself, let alone write a book designed to help youths to broaden their societal views. This is exactly what Chimdindu Ositadimma Igwenagu has set out to do.

His first book titled Wasted Gift is written to capture how children approach and perceive life. The novel portrays the evil and illicit ways children prefer to live their lives instead of resorting to hard work. In the author’s view, the world is not a bed of roses but rather is a place full of ups and downs in which hard work is the only key to success.

The 75-page story book has 14 chapters, each dealing with lives of children and issues relating to them. It is written to teach children basic morals and at the same time meet their basic needs. The stories that make up the book are interesting, very educative and also written in simple language that can be easily read and understood by the youths.

Igwenagu, showcases in the story, the virtue of contentment in the seventh chapter where Uche, a boy from a comfortable family was never contented with what he had until he was initiated into a secret cult that almost took his life. The story revolves around bad attitudes of children in the society and the negative effects they attract. The reader gets to know the pains, challenges and deprivation he or she will suffer whenever he or she is involved in any act that is abhorrent to the family and the society at large.

From the book, the reader can see how the society frowns at disobedience, stealing, pride, envy, disrespect, lies, discrimination and evil communication while obedience, wisdom, righteousness, contentment and devotion to God, should be encouraged by parents. There is this saying that “pride goes before a fall.” That is the situation with the story of Nkechi a village girl who had the gift of singing but when the tree of pride grew in her, she no longer respected her boss and sought to follow men until she made a mistake that cost her life. Another interesting story is the Reward of Righteousness, in chapter 13, where an orphan boy is being rewarded handsomely for helping out a stranger he met on the road.

This book, therefore, with its rich stories on morals will exert a lot of influence on the youths who go through it. He or she will be a better citizen and consequently a good leader. The book captures the need for children to be obedient at all times and in any situation they find themselves; it also offers useful lessons to children on leadership.

During an interaction with Realnews, the teenage author said Wasted Gift was based on life experiences. He took to writing books for children and youths because he knows that they are the leaders of tomorrow and if the society affects them negatively, then the future would not be bright. He said writing is a God-given talent which he would make use of wisely to impart knowledge and good morals in the society.

Igwenagu, completed his SSCE exams in July 2012 and is currently waiting for an entry into the university. He intends to study microbiology.

— Jul. 22, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT

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