Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, impactful and well known writer of short stories and nonfiction was recently honoured with the chieftaincy title of “Odeluwa Abba,” in her hometown of Abba, Nigeria on December 30th. This chieftaincy title can be loosely translated to mean “the one who writes for the world” fittingly reflecting the impact she has had on individuals and communities across the globe over her career.
Attendees for this special occasion included Governor Charles Soludo from Anambra State, Nigeria’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, and many other dignitaries. Not only did Chimamanda receive an Igbo chieftaincy title in her hometown but also in 2017, she was elected as a member of the 237th class of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, further testifying to her impact as a popular writer and novelist who is setting a powerful example for generations to come.
She is an incredibly determined woman, who has accomplished tremendous feats in literature. Her published works include Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), Americanah (2013), The Thing Around Your Neck (2009), her book-length essay We Should All Be Feminists (2014) and most recently, Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions.
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Adichie has received widespread recognition and admiration for her writing and accomplishments, demonstrating why she holds 16 honorary doctorate degrees from some of the world’s leading universities, including Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Edinburgh, Georgetown University, and Johns Hopkins University. An admirable intellectual with a noteworthy ambition to make society better through literature, she is certainly one for the record books.
