Award-winning Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia, during the Things Fall Apart Festival held in Enugu.
The event, which celebrated the legacy of Chinua Achebe’s iconic novel, was organized by the Centre for Memories, in partnership with the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), iTour Africa, and the National Council for Arts and Culture.
During her keynote speech, Chimamanda called Nkem Owoh to the stage, describing him as a “cultural icon” whose work has had a profound impact on generations of Nigerians.
“This man is an icon for us. I’m his biggest fan,” she said as the audience erupted in applause.
“The great Osuofia,” she added, beaming with admiration.
A Viral Moment of Cultural Pride
A video of the warm encounter between the two beloved figures has since gone viral on social media, with fans praising the emotional moment as a symbol of unity between Nigeria’s literary and film icons.
Chimamanda, the celebrated author of Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, was also honoured during the event with an honorary fellowship from ATPN in recognition of her contributions to preserving and promoting Nigerian culture through literature.
“Ndigbo, Let Us Wake Up”
In her passionate speech, Chimamanda urged the Igbo people to unite beyond political and party lines for meaningful progress.
“Ndigbo k’anyi tetalu n’ura. Let us wake up,” she declared.
“Before we can truly challenge external forces, we must first clean house.”
She also raised concerns about the decline in the use of the Igbo language and indigenous names, lamenting the growing preference for Western identities.
Celebrating Achebe’s Legacy
The festival marked a significant cultural moment, bringing together art, literature, history, and performance to honour Chinua Achebe, one of Africa’s most revered writers.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the meeting of Chimamanda and Osuofia on stage—a symbolic moment that united generations of Nigerian storytelling under one roof.
