The Girl

9-year-old Pupil Writes Book On Terrorism

Troubled by the effects on children of the insurgency in parts of the North East of the country after a visit to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kuchingoro in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), little Miss Splendour Joe King set about writing a book titled The Effects of Terrorism on Children.

Just nine years of age, the year 5 student of Unique Blossom Schools in Maitama, Abuja was inspired to take on the topic that even adult scholars might have difficulty tackling, following a visit she and her family made to an IDPs camp in the FCT, where she interviewed a number of people, including children.

The book is scheduled to be launched on June 18 2015, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

LEADERSHIP encountered the very self-confident young lady when she paid a visit to its corporate headquarters in Abuja, accompanied by her father, Mr Abisoye Joe King and senator-elect Ahmed Abubakar (Adamawa South).

Front page of the book

Book title: The Effects of Terrorism on Children

Impressed by Splendour’s candour and boldness when she insisted on meeting him at the ICC to enquire what it would take for her to book the venue for the launch and by the book effort itself, Senator Ahmed brought her to meet the chairman, LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah. Splendour had written a letter to Nda-Isaiah requesting to see him to discuss her book, which she confidently ended with ‘I know you will give me this opportunity. Thank you for your kindness’.

Senator Abubakar also promptly secured the ICC for Splendour as the venue of the book launch.

When asked why she decided to write a book on a subject many might consider too intense for a child her age to have to be bothered with, Splendour said, “These terrorists we see today were once children like us. I want to catch children young now, so their lives won’t be miserable in the future.”

In the book, which is fully illustrated and about 20 pages long, Splendour defines terrorism, who a terrorist is and what child terrorism is. She explains the different types of terrorism, why people go into terrorism and the effects of terrorism on children. The book further includes a brief interview with a child victim of terrorism she met in the camp that reveals the sad plight of children and the trauma they are going through as a result of the harrowing experience of terrorism.

With a surprising understanding of her treatise way beyond her years, Splendour, in her book, offers advice on how to help child victims of the various ravages of terrorism and what the government and society should do to reduce terrorism and violence in the society at all levels.

Her advice in the book includes the need for proper upbringing of children at home and also addresses the role of religious leaders and the government in ensuring that children can grow and live free from the negative influences of radicalisation and terrorism.

Splendour has personally reached out to the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to serve as the special guest of honour at the launch, while she has the chairman of the LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah penned down to serve as the book reviewer for the day.

While she awaits a response from the president-elect, she has a colourful list of dignitaries she hopes to reach out to with invitations for them to grace the occasion. It includes Gen T.Y Danjuma (rtd) as chairman, Atiku Abubakar as father of the day, wife of Senator Ahmed Abubakar as mother of the day and business mogul Aliko Dangote as chief launcher. Also on her list are the emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II as royal father of the day, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Senator Saraki, the FCT minister as chief host and all state governors.

Splendour, who hopes to be a lawyer in the future to defend children, told LEADERSHIP that she is starting a foundation for children and victims of terrorism, that will defend them, give them education scholarships and take care of their health issues.

Credit: LEADERSHIP