Omolayo Olufayo Launches Debut Book Titled—“If I Were God I Would Do a Better Job.”

           Olatunde Joan & Damissah Ogiegie  

In the evening hour of Sunday, 7th December, students and book lovers converged at the Ken Saro Wiwa Students' Union Building TV Room, for the fun filled launching and book chat of the book—”If I Were God, I’ll Do a Better Job"—the brain child of the erstwhile General Secretary of the Icons Organization, Omolayo Olufayo.

The author, Omolayo Olufayo is a Nigerian author, scriptwriter and editor from Osun State, born and brought up in Lagos where she developed a passion for writing at a tender age. Omolayo is a graduate of the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, and she currently works as a professional script editor and book writer. She is also the author of Faze, Yolo, Too Much and many more. 

Speaking at the event, Omolayo revealed that she was inspired to write the book after observing members of her generation, especially the Gen Z, who struggle with understanding the existence of God. According to her, the book was written to address these questions, adding that it is a combination of real-life experiences that many people shy away from confronting. The writer also admonished intending authors and young writers to find their unique writing styles that can bless the world, stressing that “growth begins with taking the first step.”

        Omolayo Olufoye, which giving the analysis of the book 

In his keynote address, Adeyemo Freedom, an advocate for stammerers, lauded the author for giving recognition and relevance to stammerers through the book. He stated that society often sees people who stammer as objects of ridicule due to their condition, rather than as intelligent individuals capable of making meaningful impact.

Adeyemo further noted that the book challenges these stereotypes and urged the public to treat people who stutter with dignity rather than discrimination.

One of the side attractions that makes the event worthwhile was a poetry contest won by Adeyemi Deborah, a spoken word artist and news reporter of the Icons Organization. She received a cash prize and a signed copy of the book from the author. 

          Deborah Adeyemi while receiving the poetry contest prize

Speaking with the ICONS reporters, the winner expressed gratitudes, saying; "the monetary reward served as encouragement and has given me the courage to participate in future competitions."

One of the attendees, also expressed her delight at being present, "the event has been educative and captivating, I've learnt from the book that God is real and also a loving father." She added that she hopes the character Dr. Chidi eventually meets Jesus and encourages everyone to get a copy of the book.

In a short interview after the event, the author likened the experience of releasing her first hardcopy book to that of giving birth to a child, an idea she had carried for a long time before finally seeing it in printed form. She described the book as an imaginative work, although some of the experiences, especially chapter seven of the book titled “The Danfo Chronicles,” which she said is personal to her. 

Speaking further, Omolayo revealed that more books are coming from her next year, the book will be a tragedy, however, it promises to be equally captivating.