By Victor Obong

During the week of March 18th, 2025, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting Mrs. Biola Kolawole at our Senior Secondary School Book Talk Programme. Seventeen students from Government Senior College Ikoyi and seventeen from Wahab Folawiyo Senior Secondary School joined the author to discuss her book Shattered Dreams. 

The story is about Mosunmola Abraham whose greatest problem was her father's overbearing influences on his children, for her father Olayiwola Abraham a self-made man with little or no education regarded his attitude as love for his children. After Mosunmola graduated from the University, she introduced Olumide Alade as the man she wanted to marry but her father refused to allow the marriage. He insisted on her marrying a man from Orile, their village. He did not want her to marry a stranger who might take her away from them. Mosunmola later married a native to the utmost happiness of her father. Can we love many times in a lifetime? Are the experiences the same?

The author read her favourite passages from the book and engaged the students in a lively discussion. Students asked various questions about the story, and Mrs. Biola Kolawole responded thoughtfully to each one. She also shared valuable writing tips with the students, including:

1. Observing people's cultures and traditions for inspiration, including for titles.  

2. They need to be good observers.  

3. Accepting criticism.  

4. Observing people's cultures and traditions for inspiration, including for titles.  

5. The students should read widely.

Mrs. Ayo Obe, a member of ZODML’s board of trustees, read out the top five alternate endings written by the students, after which voting commenced. The winners of the competition were:

1. First Prize – Favour Umoh (Wahab Folawiyo Senior Secondary School)  

2. Second Prize – Monday Joy (Government Senior College Ikoyi)  

3. Third Prize – Mohammed Halima (Government Senior College Ikoyi)

4. Third Prize – Inyanda Gloria (Government Senior College Ikoyi)  

5. Fifth Prize – Ibrahim Sherifat (Government Senior College Ikoyi) 

Other key moments from the event included:

Opening Prayer by Mustapha Roqueebat

Introduction of the Author by Monday Joy 

Vote of Thanks  by Eletu Zainab

Closing Prayer by Iyanzua Dorcas

To conclude the event, Mrs. Biola Kolawole signed books for all the students present, and the programme came to a close.