Abia Govt Approves ‘Beaten’ for Schools at 2026 Literary Week
The Abia State Government has approved the inclusion of the novel entitled “Beaten”, written by Obinna Olewe, a member of the Class of 1992 Alumni of All Saints Secondary School, in the state’s school curriculum.
Announcing the approval during the 2026 Literary Week organised by the Class of ’92 Alumni in Aba, the Abia State Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Stella Kelechi Ogugbuo, noted that the book’s strong thematic focus and its use during the quiz competition demonstrated its suitability as a learning resource for students.
She stated that the book was recognised because of its moral and educational significance, adding: “The inclusion of Beaten in the curriculum marks a significant achievement for Obinna Olewe and the Class of 1992 Alumni. It also highlights the growing impact of alumni contributions in promoting literacy, moral instruction, and academic excellence in secondary education across Abia State.”
Mrs Ogugbuo observed that the Literary Week featured a competitive inter-school quiz, which drew many of its questions from the novel Beaten, underscoring its literary relevance and educational value.
Beaten tells the compelling story of a young man named Acho, tracing his struggles from the moment he begins to fend for himself until his life is tragically cut short by a road accident. The novel explores themes of survival, personal responsibility, difficult choices, and the consequences of repeated judgment errors. Through Acho’s journey, the plot carefully examines the complexity of life’s challenges and the weight of decisions that ultimately lead to deep regrets.
According to a book Reviewer, Mr. Jumoke Falayi Johnson, ‘Beaten’ opens with a strong metaphor: “life is mean”. “Indeed, life is quite unfair to the protagonist, a man who struggles to survive. The opening points at what is coming without telling how it will end.
He noted that the novel “chronicles the struggles of Acho, just like thousands of young and middle-aged men undergo in surviving everyday life. His words are simple. The book is a very easy read and one laden with great emotion. The reader gets a good dose of the protagonist’s turmoil as they trudge through every failure.
“It is recommended for every young man and woman, girl and boy, to read, understand, and learn the lessons.”
The author of the novel, Mr. Obinna Olewe, expressed appreciation to the Abia State Government and the Class of 1992 Alumni of All Saints Secondary School, for recognising his contribution to learning.
“I encourage students to always read and write to develop themselves. Writing is an enterprise on its own, and it leads us beyond the mundane,” he said.