By Efe Onodjae

Dr. Joachim Adebayo Adenusi, popularly known as Ogarisk, has launched his new book, Leafy, a work he described as a product of family bonding and storytelling rather than a deliberately planned writing project.

The book was unveiled in , Lagos, where Adenusi explained that Leafy evolved from bedtime stories he shared with his children, gradually becoming a cherished family creation.

“This book wasn’t intentional; it’s the result of spending time with my children,” Adenusi said. “Leafy wasn’t written, it was created. I started the story and my family added to it. It became a combination of all of us adding something and creating something together.”

Reflecting on his upbringing, Adenusi said his late father played a significant role in shaping his understanding of family life and values.
“My late father was my friend; we talked and played. He was not like other men, and while growing up I sometimes resented that,” he said. “But when I started having my own family, I realised I was doing the same things. My father indirectly influenced my life in terms of what is important.”

According to him, professional achievements and public recognition pale in comparison to how one is known and remembered at home.
“My degrees, education and status are not as important as what I am called at home. I just want to be present with my family at that early stage,” he noted, adding that such choices often come with sacrifices. “You may lose business deals or miss out on some things, but thinking about their future, I can say the sacrifice is worth it.”

Adenusi also urged parents to communicate openly with their children, especially during difficult periods.
“When you are struggling and hustling and don’t have time, the day you have time, sit them down and explain your life to them,” he said. “You will be surprised to know that children are sympathetic and understanding. This is not a book to just read, but to read and talk about.”

He disclosed that another book titled The Six Values of Yoruba Culture is in the works. The book, he said, will focus on values such as Ilakaye, Iyi, Akikanju, Aniselapa, Omoluabi and Oro, with the aim of restoring lost societal values.

“The idea is to restore value to our society. We have lost a generation, but we can reverse it,” Adenusi said. “Storytelling can change the future, and those who have lost the vibes can catch up.”
Highlighting a personal section of Leafy, Adenusi noted that the book emphasises family unity and purpose.

“No matter what happens among you as a family, you have a purpose there,” he said. “One part of the book encourages families to come together and define their motto. When siblings are at war, it is their children and their children’s children that suffer, and that behaviour spills into society and the workplace.”

Speaking at the event, a guest, Mrs. Angelina Ikeako, described Leafy as a timely guide for parents.
“This book has a message that helps one to see children more,” she said. “Children push boundaries and sometimes disappoint us, but as long as parents put in the time, presence and counsel, those seeds will stay with the children. When they face challenges or go wayward, they will retrace their steps.”