The Subject we love to hate by Afolabi Onadipe follows the powerful journey of Idunnu Adebayo, a young Nigerian student who believes subjects like French and Fine Arts have little value in her life. At St. Michael’s School, she struggles under academic pressure from strict teachers and a demanding father, convinced that her efforts in these “useless” subjects will never matter.
Everything changes when Idunnu and her younger brother, Tunde, are abducted by their family driver. In this moment of danger, the skills she once resented become her greatest strength. Her knowledge of French allows her to understand the captors’ plans, while her artistic ability helps provide vital details that lead to their identification.
The Subjects We Love To Hate
A gripping coming-of-age story about a Nigerian schoolgirl who discovers that the subjects she once dismissed hold unexpected power. When a shocking kidnapping forces her to rely on those very skills to survive, her life changes forever. Through trauma, relocation, and self-discovery, she finds her voice and learns that every lesson in life has purpose.
About the Author
Afolabi Onadipe
Afolabi Onadipe is a writer and media consultant dedicated to enriching the lives of young readers. Having made a lifelong vow to spark and bless the imaginations of children across the globe, he crafts stories that inspire wonder, creativity, and resilience.
He is a versatile storyteller who is willing to be anything—from a narrator to a performer—just to make children laugh and learn. Originally from Nigeria and currently residing in the United Kingdom, Afolabi balances his professional consultancy with a deep passion for the arts. A strong advocate for well-being, he also loves writing about mental health to help young people navigate their emotions.
When he is not writing or drawing, he can be found sharing stories or enjoying quality time with family and friends. Through his work and personal commitment, Afolabi continues to create a lasting impact on children’s literature worldwide.
About Book
After surviving the ordeal and relocating to England, Idunnu faces new challenges, including cultural adjustment, health struggles, and cyberbullying. Through writing, she begins to reclaim her voice, ultimately entering a prestigious essay competition to share her story and prove that every lesson learned—inside and outside the classroom—truly matters
Book Synopsis:
This book follows the story of Idunnu, a 12-year-old girl who believes learning French and Fine Arts serves no real purpose. Her perspective changes dramatically when she and her younger brother are kidnapped, and those very subjects become the key to their rescue. By understanding the kidnappers’ French conversations, Idunnu gathers crucial information, while her artistic skills enable her to sketch detailed images that help the police identify and apprehend the suspects.
Beyond the suspense of the rescue, the story also explores Idunnu’s adjustment to life in a new country and her struggles with bullying and peer pressure. The Subjects We Love to Hate delivers a powerful message to young readers: knowledge is never wasted, and the lessons we resist the most can one day become our greatest strengths.
Behind the Story
The Subjects We Love to Hate was inspired by real life.
I wrote this book to remind parents of the importance of staying close to their children and noticing the small signs before they become serious problems. Through my own experience as a parent, I realized that children often struggle quietly, and they shouldn’t have to reach a crisis point before we step in to help.
The story follows Idunnu, a young girl who believes French and Fine Arts are useless subjects because they don’t align with her future plans. She avoids them until those very subjects save her brother’s life during his abduction in Nigeria. Her understanding of French and her ability to draw play a crucial role in helping the police rescue him.
After migrating to England, Idunnu faces another hidden danger—bullying. She suffers in silence until her parents finally notice the signs, almost too late. Her story highlights the power of family bonds, early intervention, and paying close attention to our children.
