Oyinbo Karimu is a transformative self-help book that has the potential to impact the lives of its readers significantly. It is a personal memoir that not only imparts profound life lessons but also serves as a beacon of hope and resilience. The book emphasizes the importance of community and faith in personal growth and transformation, offering guidance and empowerment to those facing challenges.
In this inspiring conversation with Mory Coco, she takes us through her story and how she hopes this book serves as an inspiration to others.
What inspired you to write “Oyinbo Karimu,” and what message do you hope readers will take away from it?
It was long overdue, my story. It finally felt like the right time to share. It is my
hope that whoever reads Oyinbo Karimu can find some sort of peace, some sort of belonging and rest assured that whatsoever it is they might be going through, they’re not alone. There’s always a way out.
How did your experiences growing up in Karimu Ojuelegba shape the narrative and themes of the book?
I spent 13 years of my life in Karimu street! Those were my formative years, so it’s always going to be a part of my story. And so a large part of the book talks about how some of the experience I had in those years in Ojuelegba would later be an imperative tool in navigating my growing years
How do community and faith play a role in personal growth and transformation as depicted in your memoir?
It literally takes a village to raise a child, that saying is famous for a reason! The people around me growing up, my faith which I came about in a unique way, it’s all a part of who I am today.
Who is the primary audience for your book, and how do you hope it will impact their lives?
Girls, boys, men and women! Anybody that loves genuine, authentic story! Anybody who feels a bit lost, or scared. That they may read, and know that they’re not alone!
How do you think the story of triumphing over adversity will resonate with African female leaders and your audience?
I would like to think that everyone is facing one challenge or the other. The major reason why I was so vulnerable in the book like I said earlier is so that people know, that they’re not alone.
Can you elaborate on some of the challenges you faced growing up and how you overcame them?
I was raised by a single mum, in the process, I had to grow up fast. Kept quite a lot because I quickly learned as a child that ‘if you don’t want to get in trouble, obey before
complain’ This followed me into adulthood, and was becoming an issue of me not knowing when to speak up for myself until I decided enough was enough. This is just one out of many stories.
What final message would you like to share with our audience, especially those who are about to embark on their own journeys of transformation and empowerment?
Don’t be afraid to be your authentic self! Do it scared if you have to, but do it! It’s worth it.
