I like Chimamanda.But his time around she goofed. 
Chimamanda Adichie is a very vocal feminist. That she doesn't attempt to hide. A lot of chauvinistic men may not like her much but I'm very comfortable with such strong willed ladies. 

But In the interview below, she really made a mountain out of a mole hill. Even without being asked she begins to say she doesn't want to take up her hubby's surname, that's absolutely fine. Anyone can respect that. But no one is fighting you over it. And if she wants to continue being referred to as 'Ms' (Miss) as a prefix to her name even after being married, its totally up to her. We all can respect her decisions bothering on her life. Chimam please answer me this; in the opening part of this interview, who asked you? 

Nigerian writer, novelist and orange prize winner, Chimamanda Adichie in a recent interview said she should not be addressed using Mrs: 
‘Before we start, please, I just want to say that my name is Chimamanda Adichie. That’s how I want it; that’s how I’m ad-dressed, and it is not Mrs but Miss. Ms: that’s how I want it’ 

 INTERVIEWER: You started by telling me that you’re not “Mrs.”… (cuts in) My name is Chimamada Adichie. If you want to put label for me, put Ms. *TheCommentsHub: haba chi! Na fight?* 

INTERVIEWER: But people know that you’re married. As an Igbo girl, you know our culture… (Cuts in again) What does our culture do? Let me tell you about our culture. This thing that you are calling our culture –that when you marry somebody, you’ll start call-ing her Mrs. Somebody –is not our culture; it is Western culture. If you want to talk about our culture, you need to go to people in real Igbo land. But it is true. My grandfather’s name is David. His name is also Nwoye. They call him Nwoye Omeni. Omeni was his mother. You know why? It is to help distinguish him, because there are often many wives. So, it was his mother that they used to identify him. They know that all of these people came from the same compound, but whose child is this one. You may go and ask people who is Nwoye Omeni, and they’ll tell you it is my grandfather. So, conversation about culture is a long one. I don’t even want to have it. 

 INTERVIEWER: But, at what point would you change your name? Yes; because it’s all fused. You cannot then come and impose something on somebody. Nobody should come and impose something on somebody, because, if you come and tell me it is our culture, I’ll tell you it is not our culture. Where do you want to start counting? Do you want to start counting in 1920, or do you want us to start counting from 1870? 

INTERVIEWER: But culture is dynamic… Exactly my point, which is why this is new. If culture is dynamic, you cannot use it as conservative tool. We can-not then say it has to be this because it is our culture. My point is that it is a new thing. Things are changing. We live in a world now where women have a right to bear the name they want. So, we cannot say this is how we do it. If some women want to do it that way, that’s fine! God bless them. Some women won’t do it. I am one of those women, and nobody will come to use culture to tell me that I should do what I don’t want to do.
 http://liveofofo.com/57500/force-change-surname-chimamanda-adichie/ 

TheCommentsHub found an interesting comment: After reading the interview, 'Birdman' commented 

"Lol. Sensible (and mature) guys run from women like these. Her outward rebellion is a sign of something internal. I pity the poor dude who allowed her fame to cloud his judgement and jumped on the bandwagon. Dude is going to bed with fire on a nightly basis. First it was feminism, then gays, now culture is whatever suits her. I know there are a few oyinbo NGOs licking their chops...they have found another "educated" african they can use tear up our social fabric. I expect her invitations to speak to double, now that she has shown she is willing to drag her culture on the floor if need be. For those saying this is a strong, intelligent woman, you insult the memories of real strong African women. Our strongest women (and men) are recognized by the sacrifices they made. What we have here is vanity, selfishness and pride, and there is nothing strong about that."

 Oops! Is Chimamanda loosing her female followers with her constant outbursts on sensitive issues? Because her comments on homosexuality in africa certainly didn't go down well with many guys and ladies alike. And certainly didn't go down well with me. She could try to balance her thoughts on modernization and culture especially, of Africa.

Ironic Awards.

Professor Wole Soyinka was saying “I would have preferred that the entire day of infamy be ignored altogether. I’m even thinking favourably of just ignoring the obscenity, then turning up at the counter-event,”. The man and grammar sha! Anyways, this morning, I woke up to a visit from my cousin, Ola. He's a hip-hop artist; song writer and entertainer. Upcoming though. And he greeted me with a good news! What a very kool way to start the day, weekend and new month! And then a message came in from Precious, a friend of mine with a very sweet heart wishing me "peace, love, blessings,favour,grace n mercy of the lord this month. Av a fun filled month!!" A big Amen to that. 

The Nigeria Centenary Celebrations came to mind. I didn't watch it live last night. On my way from Akoka, I had a short talk with Sodiq over stuff and the centenary celebrations award was going on! I even got my utility phone missing while we talked. Small old nokia phone but important! Or at least, because its houses bulk of my contacts. Sodiq sent a message he saw it. 

 Well, back to the awards.

Fela Vs Obasanjo.
I had read a piece earlier where Femi Kuti had hinted that the Kuti family was going to reject the posthumous recognition awarded his father, the Legendary Fela 'Anikulapo' Kuti. He was asking the Federal Government to first apologize for the death of his grandmother, and the burning of 'Kalakuta Republic'. Ironically, Obasanjo the same man responsible for the many troubles of Fela in the 70s and who Fela sang vehemently against received an award. Yes, the Kutis refused the award. Fela Vs. Obasanjo.

 Abiola Vs. GEJ
 MKO Abiola's family rejected the posthumous award to their patriarch. Abiola's family and President Jonathan sef! GEJ attempted to rename UNILAG to Moshood Abiola University and up went the dust! What does the family have against GEJ? But seriously, don't you think Abiola who won the free and fair election in 1993 should be award the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) at the very least? And quite revealing is that his family allege that the Government owes Abiola debts? I wish we can get more on this. 


 Gani Fawehinmi Vs. IBB
Late famous lawyer and activist Gani Fawehinmi didn't get his award because his family refused it saying it will be morally and psychologically 'debilitating' to stand on the same podium with IBB! Gani was tortured and imprisoned by the military dictator, IBB. His family allege that while in the Gushua prisons, Gani's cell was sprayed with toxic substance which led to lung cancer. And eventually, his death in 2009. 


Considering current issues in the political arena, isn't ironic to know Obasanjo, General Buhari and President Jonathan were together for the awards? Anyways, we should be celebrating so no need fighting each other for now...

A Song To Victims Of Burni Yadi Insurgence.

Earlier in the week we were all saddened by the news from Federal Government College, Burni Yadi Yobe State, Nigeria. The terrorist group Boko Haram set a block ablaze with students in it on 25th Febraury. Those that attempted to escape were shot. 

Due to previous activities of these blood-thirsty evil group, soldiers were deployed to patrol the entire state. So you'd understand my concern when I ask: For the entire 3 hours they raided and razed the school, where were the soldiers? It was said that they arrived the school in a convoy, no signal was picked on? And for 3 hours, the school was burning and children were dying and no help came until they died. 

Our military is very competent, yes! No doubt about that. And that is why there should be accountability. Those assignned to patrol that area has to answer these disturbing questions and more. Later info coming from some survivors said the terrorist group whose name is interpreted 'Western Education Is Taboo' released female students and urged them to fore-go 'western education' and go get married! After which the male student were brutally assaulted. But I ask: if you wipe out the male counterpart of a generation, whom are the females getting married to? Alhaji Yerima's age group I guess? 

Well, since that day a song has stuck with me. Its from the Isley Brothers. And the part that got deep to my soul sang: "...Every woman, every man Join the caravan of love..." Get the audio, its worth the listen.

Meanwhile Governor Fashola in Lagos politely asked to rename a hall being constructed by the NUPENG in his honour to 'Peace Hall', hear him: “I appreciate NUPENG’s gesture but I will rename this edifice `Peace Hall`, in memory of the lives of the children that were brutally slain in Yobe by insurgents."

My condolences to the mothers and entire families whose children were slain unjustly. May God comfort you. Posterity will book Boko Haram.