I’m happy to be my hometown’s first woman chief, says Chimamanda Adichie

 

Chimamanda Adichie, the Nigerian writer, has reiterated her pleasure in being her hometown’s first female chief.

 

On December 30, the novelist was given a chieftaincy title in Abba, Anambra where she was named “Odeluwa”.

 

The title is an Igbo language expression translation “the one who writes for the world”.

 

In a Facebook statement appreciating the traditional rulers and locals of her hometown, Chimamanda expressed her joy at being the community’s first woman chief.

 

 “I am the first woman in my hometown to be made a chief, and it makes me happy to know that more women will follow. Culture does not make people, people make culture,” she wrote.

 

“Cultures thrive when they best serve and reflect the people. Ours must become a culture that celebrates achievement, whether it comes from a man or a woman.

 

“It was a day filled with joyful moments but the highlight for me was the sight of many children on the dusty road, laughing and waving and shouting ‘Odeluwa!’

 

 “Amongst them, I hope, were little girls with their hearts full of dreams who feel encouraged to keep trying, to keep going.”

 

Chimamanda has received global recognition for her work which has been translated into over thirty languages and won numerous awards and prizes.