Creative Writing Competition 2025 Winners: Oluwadarasimi Huldah Fajuyi

Children Under 12 Winner: Oluwadarasimi Huldah Fajuyi

Our youngest winner is Oluwadarasimi Huldah Fajuyi, a student in year 6 at Tollgate Primary School, and the only writer to win with a piece of creative non-fiction, Getting Lost In A Book, which our judges said was “very thought provoking and interpreted the theme in a really interesting way”. Oluwadarasimi has won Tollgate a visit with bestselling author of the Anisha Accidental Detective series, Serena Patel, who will run an interactive assembly around her recent hit novel for young readers, Pia’s Pet Club.

Oluwadarasimi Huldah Fajuyi

“Getting lost in a book”

Oluwadarasimi Huldah Fajuyi

The birth of a child is the happiest feeling of both parents. Especially the ones that want to be present in their child’s life and are willing to be intentional in carrying out their duties in the upbringing of the child. 

However, the interracial marriage of my parents has brought about my struggles with “identity”. I don’t know where I belong. There are questions that need to be answered, every day I go about my life, I find myself wandering and getting lost.

 I have found myself “getting lost in a book” of my life. How do I identify myself to friends and family? What is my story? How do I write my story? What is my history? Am I British or Nigerian? What language should be primary or secondary? Is it English or Yoruba? What culture is paramount? What are my beliefs, morals and societal expectations? 

Traditionally, I am supposed to identify as a Nigerian because my dad is a Nigerian, but I left Nigeria since I was six years old. The culture is no more vivid, my tongue has changed to the British accent. I have not visited my father’s country since I left. 

Who am I? Can anyone tell me? Never mind, playing the racial card? No my skin has cheated me, so I thought. When it is summer, I don’t know whether to use sun cream or not because I have got the interracial skin, my hair is different, my lifestyle is unique. I live a double life.

Culturally, I am brought up to embrace both cultures of my parents but if I am to choose I find myself “getting lost in a book.” 

While wondering and “getting lost in a book” of my life, I discovered that irrespective of where I originate from, I do need to identify myself as a human being who has got potential and the power to become whoever I choose to be. 

It doesn’t matter where I come from or who my parents are, all that matters is that I love myself and identify as human before I claim to be a Nigerian or a British. I believe racial war can be minimal and possibly end if the foundation is right. 

Kids do not know anything about their identity, it is what they are thought they practice. To make the society a better place for us all. It is important that parents teach their kids to be human before they are identified with their origin or the colour of their skin. Love is not learnt. Love is what we see that is practiced around us and it sticks when it is reiterated in every day of our lives. 

The world is evolving, I believe our values should as well. Let us make the world a better place for us all, where we can live freely and not be subjected to stereotype and prejudice, let us practice inclusion and equality. Love is not forced, it is imbedded in actions. 

Action speaks louder than words. I want to fit in everywhere I go irrespective of who I am. “Getting lost in a book” shouldn’t be my place of resolute, finding myself and rewriting my story should be. 

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Judges remarks:

"it was very thought provoking and interpreted the theme in a really interesting way. Congratulations!"

Statement by Oluwadarasimi Huldah Fajuyi

“I’m happy and honoured to have won.”