LIFESTYLE

Feminism is easier in Nigeria than in the United States – Chimamanda Adichie

Published

7 years ago

May 14, 2017

Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie says that feminism is slightly easier for women in Nigeria than their counterparts in the United States.

The 39-year-old writer of Half of a Yellow Sun told TimesTalks in an interview that this applies to older women in both countries.

“I think feminism is always contextual. I think in general and at the risk of simplifying, it is slightly easier for women in Nigeria as they get older and I think it gets slightly difficult for women in the US as they get older,” she said.

“To be young and female in the US means to be shielded becuase things are not as overt but I think as you get older and become more invisible in more ways than one and that is where the more structural things kick in.

“When you are 12, the pay gap doesn’t really affect you but when you are 55, it does. For me, there is a kind of invisibility for older women in this country, a very disturbing worship of youth that I find strange.

“Youth is lovely but I don’t think there’s much the youth can teach me. I’d like to learn about women who are 55, about their experiences. I feel like there is no mainstream culture that celebrates women who have passed a certain age.

“In Nigeria, because it is still a culture that largely respects age. When a woman gets older, there’s a bit of more respect as though age starts to shape gender. People have said that the worst thing in Nigeria is to be young, female and occupy any position of power.”

Adichie said in Nigeria, feminists know what they are up against and this makes it easier for them.

“In some ways, there is something refreshing about Nigeria’s sexism because you know what you are dealing with. In this country, it’s layered and there is a lot of pressure on women here to prove sexism. Look at what happened with Hillary Clinton and it’s interesting how many intelligent people are dismissive of the fact that misogny played a role in how she was covered.

“In Nigeria, people will tell you clearly, a woman can not be a governor so at least you know what you are dealing with. Women in this country are expected to be sexy but not sexual.

“With all the conversations about rape or consent, I feel like we are not talking about the fundamental thing which is that sexuality is not allowed women. Female sexuality is something we are uncomfortable about.

“In Nigeria, they are very clear, don’t be sexy, don’t be sexual. There is nothing to be confused about. I don’t think any is better or worse but there is something to be said about being refreshingly obvious.”

Chimamanda Adichie

Related Topics:Chimamanda Adichie Feminism

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FOOD

Guinness World Records Deactivates Its ‘Cookathon’ Category

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Reporter

Guinness World Records deactivates 'Cookathon' category | Fab.ng

After an earlier attempt by Chef Failatu Abdul Razak fell short, they launched a second attempt at a Guinness World Records ‘cookathon’ record on February 1st. This time, Chef Ebenezer Smith took centre stage. He set up his cooking station in Spintex and spent the next 35 days, a total of 820 hours, continuously creating culinary delights.

Chef Smith’s impressive feat sparked excitement in Ghana, with hopes of setting a new West African record. This comes on the heels of another record-breaking attempt by Afua Asantewaa for a singing marathon. Ghana seems to be on a roll when it comes to attempting Guinness World Records!

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However, things took a turn. GHone TV, a Ghanaian television station, contacted Guinness World Records. In an email response, Guinness World Records cleared the air about Chef Smith’s claim.

The email stated,

“No, this is not true at all. He does not hold the GWR title and that is not our certificate. The current and true record holder is: The longest cooking marathon (individual) is 119 hr 57 min 16 sec and was achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from 28 September to 3 October 2023.”

Guinness World Records (GWR) also revealed that the cookathon record category is no longer active.

They explained that GWR sometimes deactivates records for various reasons. For example, they stopped judging the “fastest violinist” record in 2017 because they couldn’t ensure the quality of the violin playing.

“As a good rule of thumb—if you can’t measure, weigh, or count it—then it’s probably not a record!” is GWR’s mantra for discontinuing records and applications.

Guinness World Records deactivates its “cookathon” category after it seems to have inspired an unstoppable frenzy in certain parts of the world. In Ghana, one contender, displaying a certificate as the new record holder, claims to have cooked for more than 30 days. pic.twitter.com/jM6QjL1usX

— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) July 3, 2024

Things got messy after Chef Smith, also known as Millennium Chef, held a press conference to announce himself as the record holder for the longest cooking marathon. Reports say security personnel in police and military uniforms arrived and chased him out.

Apparently, Nana Boroo, who might have sponsored the event, brought them due to a possible disagreement with Chef Smith, possibly a broken contract.

Check here for more updates.

ARTS & CULTURE

Adopt July 13 As Wole Soyinka Day – Alake Urges Federal Government

Published

7 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Reporter

Alake Urges FG To Adopt July 13 As Wole Soyinka Day | Fab.ng

The Alake of Egba Land is a traditional ruler in Nigeria. Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo. He has a request for the Nigerian government. The Alake wants July 13 to be made a Wole Soyinka Day in Nigeria. This is to honour Prof. Wole Soyinka, a famous Nigerian writer who won a Nobel Prize.

The Alake thinks Soyinka should be honoured for three main reasons:

His work in literature
His fight for justice
His love for Nigerian culture

The Alake shared this idea at his palace in Abeokuta on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. He also mentioned that New Orleans, a city in the United States, has a Wole Soyinka Day. It’s on November 1 every year. He thinks if a foreign city can do this, Nigeria should do it too.

He said,

“It will be appropriate for the federal government to adopt July 13 as a national day to celebrate Prof Wole Soyinka, given his contribution to literature and humanity globally. It will be good to henceforth adopt his birthday which is July 13 as Wole Soyinka Day. In fact, New Orleans in the United States of America has already adopted a day to celebrate him, so why can’t we do so to honour our own too.”

The Oba also asked the Nigerian government to award Wole Soyinka their second-highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). He believes this prestigious award would be a fitting tribute to Soyinka’s achievements and a way to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Professor Soyinka is a renowned writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.

His educational background is quite impressive. He began his studies at Abeokuta Grammar School but later transferred to Government College in Ibadan in 1954. He continued his education at the University College in Ibadan before travelling to England to attend the University of Leeds.

Oba Gbadebo described the Nobel Laureate as “a literary giant, quintessential essayist, dramatist, playwright and a globally respected elder statesman, who is also the Akinlatun of Egbaland.”

The king of Egba Land has declared July 13th, Wole Soyinka’s birthday, as “Wole Soyinka Day” to celebrate his achievements.

To honour this special occasion, a two-day celebration is planned for July 12th and 13th. The festivities will show a variety of events. This includes art exhibitions by students from schools Soyinka attended, like St Peters Primary School, Abeokuta Grammar School, and others. Local artists from the Ogun State Chapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists will also be participating.

The celebration promises a vibrant mix of cultural performances, displays of books written by or about Soyinka, documentaries exploring his life, and poetry recitals. There will even be a traditional hunting expedition organized by Egba Land’s hunters.

This call to celebrate Soyinka nationally comes shortly after President Tinubu honoured the Nobel laureate by naming a major road in Abuja after him.

Check out more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

I Find It Beautiful When Men Cry – Simi

Published

8 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Reporter

Simi Finds It Beautiful When Men Cry | Fab.ng

Nigerian singer Simi talked about men showing their emotions. She said she likes it when men are open about their feelings. Simi thinks it’s good when men allow themselves to be vulnerable.

Simi was a guest on a podcast called the “90’s Baby Show.” During the show, she shared her opinion on this topic. She explained that she finds it attractive when men express their emotions freely.

Simi believes men should share their feelings instead of keeping them hidden. She thinks it’s beautiful when men embrace their sensitive side. In her view, men shouldn’t try to hide or suppress their emotions.

“I find it beautiful when men cry because I am surrounded by so many men that feel like they have to be macho all the time or they have to be strong,” she began.

Simi talked about how society expects men to act. She said that many people think men should always look strong and tough. This puts pressure on men to hide their feelings. The singer explained that these expectations are not fair. She believes they can be harmful to men’s well-being.

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A post shared by 90sBabyShow (@90sbabyshow)

Simi then shared an important message. She said it’s perfectly fine for men to have two sides. They can be supportive of their family and friends. At the same time, they can also show their own emotions.

She wanted to make it clear that being emotional doesn’t make a man weak. Simi thinks men can be both strong and sensitive. She encourages men to express their feelings openly.

Simi explained, “When you see men and women go through the same kind of pain or hurt, the man says, ‘I have to be strong for my wife or for my women or kids.’ I think that’s okay, but I don’t think strength means not being vulnerable or not crying.”

Simi talked about what happens when people hide their feelings. She said it’s not good for men to keep their emotions locked inside. The singer explained that when men don’t express their feelings, it can cause problems. These problems might not show up right away. Instead, they can build up over time inside a person.

Also, she warned that these hidden emotions don’t just go away. Eventually, they might come out in ways that people don’t expect. This could lead to sudden outbursts or other issues.

She believes it’s healthier for men to express their emotions regularly. This way, they can avoid the negative effects of bottling up their feelings.

“I like it when men cry because it means that you feel safe with who you’re with, you can be vulnerable, and you can let go. That’s how I see it because as an African woman, I have seen African men be like, ‘I’m the protector, I’m the provider, I’m the warrior,’ but I feel like if it’s not coming out in your tears, it’s going somewhere. Even if it’s like a little ball inside your heart, one day you’re just going to explode,” she explained.

See the full interview below: