‘Why my work is a voice for the girl-child’
Bookshelf: What drove you to write about the girl-child? Debbie Doowuese Ajom: Well, I look at what’s happening in Nigeria. Girls are really behind and there is so much preferential treatment for boys. I come from a family where five of us are girls and there’s only one son. Before my brother was born, […]
Bookshelf: What drove you to write about the girl-child?
Debbie Doowuese Ajom: Well, I look at what’s happening in Nigeria. Girls are really behind and there is so much preferential treatment for boys. I come from a family where five of us are girls and there’s only one son. Before my brother was born, my grandparents were always disturbing my dad to marry another wife. They said, how can he stick to a wife that is bearing only girls? But luckily for us, he stayed by my mother and she later gave birth to a son. So it started right from my home and I wondered why it was so important to have a boy in the family. Girls are also human beings and I believe that we are even better than boys. But mostly because of the Nigerian culture, a lot of girls’ education ends in the kitchen and you end up getting married to someone and that is the end of your story. But a girl can do a lot more. We can be nation builders, presidents, governors and more. So, I believe we can make a difference even though we were created second in the beginning because Adam was created before Eve. But that doesn’t mean we should trail behind in everything because of our gender. We have what it takes to make an impact in the society as well.
Also, another reason why I wrote the book was to raise money through the book launch. I have gained admission at Troy University in Alabama, United States. So I used the book launch as a forum where Nigerians could support me. The reason they gave me admission was because I had started writing at a very young age and because of my potential. The book launch wasn’t as productive as I thought it would be, but I am still very grateful. The book launch is over but my journey is just beginning. I can still be supported. I may come from a poor background but that should not hinder me from making it to the very top.
Bookshelf: What do you aspire to become?
Ajom: Writing was one of my dreams. I have already accomplished that. Now I intend to teach so I can impact knowledge to others. Also, I would love to become a journalist so I can become the voice of the voiceless, advocate for girl-child education, training of the girl-child and do what I can to stop girl-child marriages.
Bookshelf: How long did it take you to write ‘The Triumph of a Girl Child?’
Ajom: It didn’t take very long. I started writing the book earlier this year, on my birthday that was February 12. When you are passionate about something, you will definitely excel in it.
Bookshelf: How did you start writing?
Ajom: I actually started with drawing just to explore my talent and then a story on the side. I later grew more interested in the stories, so I decided to drop drawing and stick to writing.
Bookshelf: You have written three books so far with ‘The Triumph of a Girl Child’ being the fourth. What are your past three books about?
Ajom: I wrote about the struggle of the underprivileged and orphans. My keyword is ‘strive.’ All my books are centred on that word. Strive to achieve your dreams and never give up on anything. You have to keep struggling. There might be people you trust, you will think they are there to help you but on the contrary, they come with bad intentions. So believing and trusting in God and not people is a main focus in my books.
Bookshelf: How have readers received your work so far?
Ajom: So far, so good. Some people are encouraging and some are not at all. People have approached me and praised me. Some have given me hope about sponsoring my education but have not gotten back to me. But I feel really honoured so far. I will continue pushing and praying for the best. I believe in myself and I have always believed that I and books will go far and maybe even further than I imagine.
Bookshelf: What do you plan to work on in the nearest future?
Ajom: For now I intend to stop at ‘The Triumph of a Girl-Child’ because I want to further my education. But I will definitely continue writing.