Date: 2016-03-01

AT a time when the country is experiencing harsh economic realities, the encouraging words from guests and launchers at the public presentation of The Sun Shall Soon Shine, a collection of poetry written by Offa, Kwara State-born Sociology graduate, Adejoke Ajibade-Bakare , were enough to assure Nigerians that in spite of living in one of the most crucial moments in the history of the country, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Soul inspiring words .

The well attended event held Thursday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Conference and Exhibition Centre, Ikeja, Lagos was not just a book launch, but it largely turned out to be an occasion embellished with just what Nigerians needed at the time; soul inspiring words. The seventy-two page book which contains a total of sixty-two poems embodies life in its different phases and faces. It is a representation of the dreams individuals nurse from womb to childhood, as individuals and as a nation while hoping for brighter future. "The title is a tongue twister and its deliberate.", the Master's degree holder in Marketing and Advertising from Coventry University in West Midlands, UK began saying about her book.

"In the process of trying to say it you could make mistake and then laugh, its all about bringing happiness and hope for a better tomorrow. If you look around us there's a lot of negativity and its a reflection of the society and everyday struggles of Nigerians. It sends the message of hope from the womb to childhood, to individuals and the nation as well as the entire world. Amidst all trials and challenges, there's hope for our nation," Adejoke said. The author further explained that the collection was published with the clear and concise vision to positively impact the minds of readers towards becoming the best version of themselves, appreciating and understanding life for what it truly is. She added that the book needs to get to every youth so as to empower and expose them to the rising realities of everyday life, knowing that in them lie lessons and opportunities. "Poetry found me as a form of expression and I found it as a means to let out my emotions. Poetry has a lot to offer to Nigeria in terms of opinions and I encourage people to support poetry by reading," she said.

The Chairman of the occasion, Rear Admiral A A Oshinowo, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Lagos, said the book is targeted at the youths in order to get them empowered and exposed to opportunities in life. Oshinowo who was represented by Commodore Nesiama noted that, "In every problem there is a solution and an option. Things have gotten so bad that the youths are derailing, oblivious that they have a lot of options and solutions to their challenges. The author despite her prowess in the academic field and being gainfully employed is able to find time in another profession- Poetry. This is a motivation to the youths who are discouraged due to joblessness." While reviewing the book, Mr Bambo Oguntoyibo described the book as a classic which encapsulates journey from the womb to the tomb, as well as things that matter to us in Nigeria are all documented in the collection, insisting that the book is not meant for the youths alone but would inspire adults to be optimistic about life.