The day I met Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (CNA)

2019 was one of the best years of my life. I know there’ll be better years but 2019 was a fantastic year. I traveled a lot and I made new friends that have become like family to me. I got mentors that have helped me in every aspect of my career.

When I was leaving on my trip last year, while at the airport….I noticed a lady close to me that looked strikingly familiar. I had this ‘Deja vu’ feeling as I looked at the lady. It was my husband that later tapped me and said “Wo mentor e” (Look at your mentor). Lo and behold, it was CNA. I was surprised to see that she was not surrounded by people trying to get autographs. I now remembered that people don’t read in Nigeria. If it was an actress, they probably would have recognized her and people would be clustered around her.

I quickly went over to her to say Hello. We got talking and she was so warm. I did not even give her an opportunity not to be warm because of the the way I shrieked and jumped on her😂. Told her how much my sister @thetrophy adores her and how she’ll be green with envy when she sees our pictures. I don’t think any fan loves CNA as much as my sister. My mum was looking for me to come and sort out customs issues and my husband told her I was with my mentor Chimamanda. My mum was like “Tani Chimamanda abi kilope? Ko ye rojo wewe, ko damilohun jare” (Who is Chimamanda? She should quit the small talk and come and check in immediately). Kilokan Alhaja Abeke? All she wanted was how to ensure that customs did not take all my delicacies that she had wrapped up for me in my luggage. My husband said “She won’t answer you o. You better let her finish with her mentor”. While we were waiting there, CNA needed the cello tape that I used in wrapping some things and I was very happy to be of help.

I met CNA again after we landed (we were on the same flight) and I had to help her with her something she needed to do as the person to pick her was not there yet. We got talking about family and I mentioned that I sometimes felt guilty for leaving my children for long periods with my mum. That I was going to be away for four months and I also did a lot of that during residency. She said something that stayed with me. “Never apologize for dreaming and for trying to chase your dreams. You have ensured that they’re well catered for. You have given them the best. Woman, you deserve to soar too so there would be no resentment”. She was so appreciative of my help and that she told me she sensed that I was that person that would help anyone that needs it irrespective of who they are. I was glad that she felt that vibe from me.
If I liked CNA before, I loved her then. She reiterated what I’ve always known.

Life is about balance. In your journey through life and while uplifting and taking care of others including your family, never forget yourself.

I am someone that makes conversation easily. I wish I had taken the relationship further as we truly had a bonding time. I should have gotten an email and who knows, perhaps she would be writing the foreword for one of my books now. Anyway, it can still happen if the almighty wills.
One thing I know for sure…that meeting happened for a reason. Nothing in the universe happens without a reason.

I made this post today because of my friend @azysal. I mentioned randomly that I met CNA. She almost skinned me alive that I met such an icon and I did not write or blog about it. I was telling her that I know she’s an icon but I just saw her as a woman I admire fiercely but first a human being like me.

So here’s a toast to CNA. A woman I respect greatly. That I hope to meet someday soon again. That will perhaps write the foreword for one of my books. A beautiful woman….in and out..