Aduragbemi Akintepede is a nineteen year old undergraduate of Law at Olabisi Onabanjo University. She started writing at the early age of nine and published her first book, a play at the age of fourteen. She has also authored “New Cheese,” a memoir and “Late Last Year,” a short story.

Aduragbemi has a passion for writing, campaigning for women and child rights, acting, teaching and humanitarianism.

One Good Turn” which is her first published book is currently on Ogun State Ministry of Education Science and Technology’s Approved List of Textbooks for use in Junior Secondary Class Two, Literature-in-English text for 2019/2020 academic session in schools across the state.

She shares her “Ruby Girl” story in this interview.

MEET ME

Aduragbemi Akintepede is a nineteen year old law student, author of three books, the second child of a family of five.

HOBBIES

I love dancing, reading, writing or thinking about my characters when I’m not writing, teaching and acting. I love art and nature also.

INSPIRATION

While growing up in primary school, my dad used to have lots of books hanging around the house and some on shelves. My dad was a civil servant and my mom is a teacher, so, I had access to books early. I read “Eze Goes to school, Mayor of Casterbridge, Things Fall Apart and books by Wole Soyinka which I didn’t understand but always kept reading. They informed my early writing and I started writing my version of stories as they came to me, in drama, firstly on the plain back of A4 papers not in use anymore at home, then, later I progressed to notebooks when I was admitted into secondary school.

BIGGEST FEAR

Not making impact.

CHANGE

I don’t think I’ll like to change anything. Both my flaws and strengths contribute to who I am today. I’ll just have to keep leveraging on them more to become a better version of myself.

ON MY FIRST BOOK BEING CURRENTLY IN OGUN STATE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Truly it is a golden opportunity and a great honour especially because of my age. I have always been passionate about the reading culture, mostly for teenagers because I feel it is declining in my generation and it is important to start with the little ones.

I intend to put this opportunity to great use by having a book drive in secondary schools firstly in Ogun state where it is a recommended literature text, then, extending it to other states too. I intend to partner with brands mentioned in the play such as Bigi Drinks, Mentos Sweet and Nestlé as well as foundations owned by youths to have book reading sessions, talks, acting out of scenes from the book and also donating books to schools in indigent areas where students cannot afford to buy notebooks not to talk of literature texts.

TO GO BACK IN TIME OR TIME TRAVEL TWO YEARS TO THE FUTURE

I’ll prefer travelling to the future.

BEST QUOTE 

“Work on yourself, by yourself and for yourself.

WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT

Writing or thinking about how to move a step further to my dreams.

IF GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA FOR A DAY 

I’ll address the educational sector in Nigeria at all levels.

WHAT PROMPTED ME TO WRITE MY SECOND BOOK, A MEMOIR, THIS EARLY

After undergoing my cheese moving experience as regards my academics, I got “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Dr. Spencer Johnson from a friend. It prompted me to put my experience down and relay it to others to shine a light to their path by sharing the story of the mountain I climbed.

JUGGLING ACADEMICS, WRITING ,PUBLISHING BOOKS AND ACTING TOGETHER

Honestly, combining everything together has not been easy but I love it when I do not allow anything limit me from going for whatever I want and also the courage to always do it afraid. So, while following my passion, I always remind myself that I must excel in all those areas.

MY BRAND IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS

I see myself being fulfilled to a great extent, my desire to impact and impart younger generations being actualized and my name being known across the globe for iconic deeds.

MY ADVICE TO GIRLS FIVE YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME

I will advice them from one of my personal quotes from my second book, “New Cheese” which goes thus:

“Work on self discovery and dare to be a new, better and positive version of you than you were yesterday.”