Journalist and author Tomi Falade led a public reading of her debut novel, ỌLỌ́BÙN: Matriarch of Ondo, Mother of Legacy, on Tuesday at Ikeja Senior High School in Lagos, drawing attention to the history and legendary origins of the Ondo Kingdom.
The reading session, organised as part of activities leading up to the 16th Best of Nollywood Awards (BON), featured the wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, alongside Nollywood actors Keppy Ekpenyong and Omowunmi Dada.
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Organisers said the event forms part of BON’s ongoing efforts to promote a reading culture among young people and encourage engagement with Nigerian literature and history.
Students of Ikeja Senior High School and Ikeja Junior High School received complimentary copies of the book, while cash donations were also made to support learning programmes in the schools.
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During the session, Ms Falade and the guests read selected passages from the novel, which explores the mythological and historical roots of the Ondo Kingdom through the story of Princess Iyunola.
Commending the initiative, Mrs Hamzat praised the organisers and participating actors for using their platforms to inspire students.
“Your participation demonstrates the impact the entertainment industry can have in shaping the character, competence and imagination of the next generation,” she said.
She encouraged the students to cultivate a strong reading habit, noting that reading broadens thinking and builds confidence.
“Every story you read opens your mind to new possibilities. Reading helps you dream, speak confidently and think more deeply,” she added.
Promoting reading culture
Actress Omowunmi Dada, who addressed the students at the event, reflected on her own school days and emphasised the importance of reading despite the growing influence of social media and artificial intelligence.
“Social media and AI are helpful, but reading remains essential. It broadens your horizon and exposes you to information you may never find effortlessly,” she said.
She noted that many Nigerians remain unfamiliar with the history of Ondo State, adding that the book provides young readers with access to stories often overlooked.
Veteran actor Keppy Ekpenyong also stressed the importance of engaging children through educational initiatives.
“The children hold our future. If they are not groomed with things like this, everything will expire,” the award-winning actor said.
Preserving history through storytelling
ỌLỌ́BÙN tells the story of Princess Iyunola, a twin born during the 15th-century Oyo Empire, a period when twins were considered an abomination. Separated from her royal lineage, the character perseveres against the odds and rises to become a monarch and a highly influential figure in Yorubaland.
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The narrative seamlessly blends history and mythology, celebrating female leadership and resilience. Explaining her motivation for writing the book, which was launched in 2024, Ms Falade said she was driven by a desire to tell meaningful stories and preserve history in a form accessible to young readers.
“While in university, I just wanted to tell stories that mattered. I fell in love with Olobun because she was a woman who created a kingdom. I wanted to document her story in a form that would interest students,” she said.
Ms Falade revealed that she began working on the story 15 years ago as a student, initially as a stage play, before expanding it into a book. She added that although the work is dramatised, it is rooted in historical accounts.
The author also advised young writers to use artificial intelligence as a support tool rather than a replacement for creativity, reaffirming her commitment to promoting reading culture through school-based literary programmes.
The 2025 Best of Nollywood Awards will hold on Sunday at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The 17th edition of the awards will also feature an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the “Longest Red Carpet.”
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