The saying that failure is an orphan while success has many parents came to the fore Friday in Port Harcourt when both the high and low struggled for space to identify with twelve years old Mavi Val-Ugboma who presented her two book for launch.

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engineer Tele Ikuru, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, her education counterpart, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, Medical Director, Imo State University, Chairman, Rivers State Branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Opaka Dokubo, General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Senibo Celestine Ogolo, ex-member Imo State House of Assembly, Editors and other personalities including friends and family members, all marvelled at Mavi’s books.

Even as she sat amongst the dignitaries at the high table with full comportment, many still believed it was a kiddies joke until when she stepped out to deliver her welcome speech. Herself confidence, superlative accent and perfect delivery unmasked the stuff in little beautiful and brilliant Mavi who revealed to her charged audience that she was inspired by the world acclaimed Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

After showering praises on the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi for his passion in education as evidenced by his great investment on the sector, all Mavi could ask from the Governor was more libraries in the Secondary Schools. No wonder her father, Val Ugboma called her a book worm.

The titles of her books are 2 Will Tales, and 5 Will Tales. Dr Desmond Osueke, Head Research and Training Unit of The Tide Newspapers, who reviewed the first book (2 Will Tales) said the work comprises two short stories – Divine Aid and Together We Stand.

According to the reviewer, it is a story of an orphan left in the hands of a wicked step mother, named Akaike, while Together We Stand is about a family torn apart by deception and lust.

The first story teaches us to be kind to others even if they are not our relations. We learn not to be jealous but to be contented with what we have,” the reviewer said adding that the second story “teaches us some moral lessons. We learn of the torment and confusion that infidelity can bring in a marriage but above all we also learn to forgive one another.”

The reviewer of the second book (5 Will Tales), Dr Alpheaus Paul-Worika said it comprises of five short stories, Adventures of two friends, Evil Customs Must Be Removed, God Has  A Reason, A Victory and the last Wickedness of Man.

Dr Paul-Worika who is the Deputy Group News Editor also of The Tide, said the first is about two courageous girls who showed strength and determination in fearlessly fighting against and eventually thwarting the evil plans of armed robbers.

From what he said the stories stressed courage, and doggedness in fighting bad cultural practices, reward for courage, freedom, reformation, marriage challenges.

Of all, the two reviewers described the baby author as a budding star who is a master story teller.

Chairman of the occasion, and the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Senibo Celestine Ogolo, commended the author and her parents, remarking that she is as rising star set to blossom.

“I have read her books and listened to her address. It’s wonderful,” Senibo Ogolo said and commended Rivers Government for encouraging growth in education noting that it was the wonderful investment and passion of Governor Amaechi that made him win the Vanguard Newspaper’s Award as Personality of the year.

Mavi is a JSS3 student of the Nobles Academy, Port Harcourt and hails from Ndoni in Rivers State.

Highlights of the event was the cutting of Mavi’s 12th birthday cake which coincided with the book launch.

Chris Oluoh