…as late Pastor Nomthi Odukoya came alive at a posthumous book launch

By Funmi Ajumobi

Ogun State First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has said the demands of raising children in the twenty-first century require that parents and caregivers find creative ways to engage with children to harness their innate abilities, rather than stifle them.

Saying this at the posthumous birthday and Launch of Late Pastor Nomthi Adekoya’s book, “A fight against child abuse”, held on Monday at the Fountain of Life Church headquarters,  Abiodun pointed out that Pastor Nomthi had a unique approach and simplicity in addressing issues relating to abuse as she always found ways to engage on issues around child abuse, especially with the victims who were afraid or unable to speak out.

Abiodun described the book as a timely text and advocacy tool for helping survivors of every form of abuse, saying that the compilation of poems and artwork by students from schools around the state is a creative way to allow children to express themselves and have a say in addressing the issues they may face.

In her goodwill message, Mrs Lai Koiki, Chief Executive Officer, Greensprings Educational Services, the chairperson of the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria, (APEN), and also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, said the launch of the book put a seal of excellence on Pastor Nomthi’s concerted effort to further enlighten and educate children and the general public on issues around abuse of all kinds, while proffering solutions on how to keep children safe through her publications and public engagements.

Describing late Pastor Nomthi as a seasoned educator, a life coach, a lover of children, a mother, a story teller who had a passion for working with children, teachers and parents alike to prevent, mitigate the sad societal ills that affect children, Koiki said Pastor Nomthi has done her bit and has left a part of herself as a legacy for the development of our nation Nigeria which everyone has a responsibility to build on.

Koiki advised children who have experienced one form of abuse or the other to speak up because they need help. “No child is to be blamed for whatever act of abuse. They are vulnerable and they need help and that is one of the focus of FundaWazi Foundation. They can reach out to us. We will support them and refer them to where to get the right attention where necessary”. She added.

On his part, Barrister Taiwo Akinlami, a board member of the foundation pointed out how Pastor Nomthi changed the narratives around child protection by making children to be part of their defense. According to him, she led the conversation about children talking to children by writing her first book, “No don’t touch me there”, a book written for children to learn, to know and begin to advocate for themselves.

Akinlami added that the testimonial to her work at the launch made her name irreplaceable because she lived for God, served God, served the people and served children who particular could not be able to speak for themselves. “It is what people say about your work that testifies of you and this book is a testament of the fact that those children were impacted because they found their voices and they began to speak”.

Kemi Odukoya, also a member FundaWazi Foundation Board of Trustees said Pastor Nomthi first book, ‘Do not touch me there’, was written in accessible language that children were able to relate with and came up with their own understanding of the book in poetry, artwork which eventually gave birth to the new book. “The book is a compilation of children’s work because FundaWazi Foundation equipped them to find their places and voices”.

Mrs Abisoye Okwoni described late Pastor Nomthi as a woman full of passion for children and always wanted to ensure that children were not just protected but were taught to protect themselves. “She believed the best way children could have protection was to educate them and be part of their own protection and not after the children have been molested”.

To every child out there, Okwoni said, “you are unique. You are important. Don’t let anyone silence your voice. Don’t let anyone say no one will believe your Story of abuse. Speak up”. Quoting Pastor Nomthi, “If the first adult does not believe in you, keep telling other adults until you find someone who believes in you. Note that you are worth fighting for”.Okwoni said.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman of FundaWazi Foundation; Dr. Tobi Odukoya-Enuha said the book, “A Fight against Child Abuse” is a testament of Pastor Nomthi’s life-work which capitalises on giving every child the opportunity to grow up in an environment that is safe, stable and nurturing.

Enuwa reiterated that Pastor Nomthi’s legacy which has been laid through her books and the Fundawazi foundation would continue to live on, impacting more children of all social classes as well as community stakeholders. through project F.A.P.E which focuses on art and poetry writing, project T.E.M which is the Teacher Mentorship Programme, and book distribution event.