The Travails of Mudiaga

The Travails of Mudiaga is a novel that teaches the reader that there is ability in disability. The story
states that being disabled does not equate to stagnation and underdevelopment but a surmountable
challenge that refines the individual for the better. This children's story dovetails the humble beginning
of Mudiaga's life and the adverse effect of oil exploration and exploitation in the lives of the Niger Delta
people who are constantly bespattered by oil activities and corruption. Born disabled, Mudiaga is
buffeted with not only the inability to walk but also the useless child who is a burden to his parents.
Despite the physical challenges, Mudiaga summons courage and anchors his faith on the power of
education and honesty. Eventually, he becomes the shining light and the messiah of his community by
identifying the oil thieves that have brought so much suffering and horror to indigenes of his
community. The arrest of the oil thieves brought peace to the community; so, Mudiaga's act resonates
with the axiom: 'The rejected stone has become the chief cornerstone.'. The Travails of Mudiaga is
must-read for all since it foregrounds the interplay of ecological disaster and human health disorders.