For the Well-being of Youths

Yinka Olatunbosun

Trapped in Oblivion, the flagship novel of Ifeoma Theodore Jnr, E. has indeed been  impactful for the younger generation, especially as it addresses societal issues which, in Africa, are understated due to culture and traditions. 

Anyone reader would easily notice how the society is reflected through the characters and characterisation thus projecting the structure that the society is built on. A structure that is on the bridge of collapse except some of the issues raised in the book are addressed. 

Issues like teen pregnancy, cyber bullying, child molestation, STD’s, paedophilia and more. In the Western society, these are the subjects of discussion and global interest. Here in Africa, certain discussions are not encouraged especially, discussions Ifeoma Theodore Jnr has raised in her books. 

The bright light at the end of this tunnel is that  the society has been made to take note of the importance of Trapped in Oblivion, and has been approved by the Nigerian Ministry of Education to be read in schools. It’s also been endorsed by UK Aid, UNICEF, and NACA. 

Trapped in Oblivion, in a review by Publishers Weekly, is described as a book which addresses critical issues, and a reader will definitely come out feeling overwhelmed. 

Indeed,  the author took the bulls by the horn, and stepped in where angels fear to tread. A novel which was released in 2013 at a time when certain conversations were treated in hush tone is definitely one to be proud of. 

“Trapped in Oblivion is not a story for just Africans, but every teen and young adult the world over,” says Theodore in a recent interview.  “A teen in Africa is the same as a teen in the Western world. They go through the same form of self awareness especially when they are experiencing puberty. Their wellbeing matters, and that is what Trapped in Oblivion is all about. The well-being of the younger generation, the world over. The story is only told from the African perspective.”