Women’s Prize for Fiction award excites Chimamanda – Newstrends
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Women’s Prize for Fiction award excites Chimamanda

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Half of A Yellow Sun has been voted the best book to have won the Women’s Prize for Fiction in its 25-year history.

Adichie, who won the prize in 2007 for her Half of a Yellow Sun, was selected in a public vote from a list of 25 winners.

The one-time award marks the anniversary of the prize, previously called the Orange Prize and the Bailey’s Prize.

Half of a Yellow Sun is set in Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria during the Biafran War.

Other past winners include Zadie Smith, the late Andrea Levy, Lionel Shriver, Rose Tremain and Maggie O’Farrell.

Half of a Yellow Sun is set in Nigeria during the Biafran War, exploring the end of colonialism, ethnic allegiances, class, race and female empowerment. Published in 2006, it has received global acclaim.

It was made into a film starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton in 2013.

Adichie said: “I’m especially moved to be voted Winner of Winners because this is the prize that first brought a wide readership to my work – and has also introduced me to the work of many talented writers.”

Author and playwright Kate Mosse, the founder and director of the UK-based prize, congratulated Adichie and said she was “thrilled” Half of a Yellow Sun had won.

“Our aim has always been to promote and celebrate the classics of tomorrow today and to build a library of exceptional, diverse, outstanding international fiction written by women,” she said.

“The Reading Women campaign has been the perfect way to introduce a new generation of readers to the brilliance of all of our 25 winners and to honour the phenomenal quality and range of women’s writing from all over the world.”

More than 8,500 people voted and were invited to share their thoughts with the prize’s digital book club, accessing newly created online reading guides and author interviews.

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Nigeria ranks 36th on most corrupt countries’ list (full list)

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Nigeria ranks 36th on most corrupt countries’ list (full list)

Transparency International, a global coalition against corruption, has ranked Nigeria as the 36th most corrupt country in the world, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released on Tuesday.

Nigeria shares the 36th position with Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq and Cameroon, each scoring 26 points on the corruption index.

Denmark retained its position as the least corrupt country in the world with 90 points, followed by Finland with 88 points and Singapore with 84 points. The top 10 least corrupt nations were predominantly European, with no African country making the list.

However, Cape Verde emerged as the least corrupt country in Africa, ranking 35th globally with 62 points.

At the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan, Somalia and Venezuela were named the most corrupt countries in the world for the year under review.

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Commenting on the report, Francois Valeria, Chair of Transparency International, emphasised the widespread threat of corruption and its impact on global challenges such as climate change.

“The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that corruption is a dangerous problem in every part of the world, but change for the better is happening in many countries,” Valeria said.

“Research also reveals that corruption is a major threat to climate action. It hinders progress in reducing emissions and adapting to the unavoidable effects of global heating.”

The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

While 32 countries have significantly reduced corruption levels since 2012, Transparency International noted that 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened in the same period.

“The global average of 43 has also stood still for years, while over two-thirds of countries score below 50. Billions of people live in countries where corruption destroys lives and undermines human rights,” Valeria added.

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Nigeria commiserates with Namibia on death of ex-President Nujoma 

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Nigeria commiserates with Namibia on death of ex-President Nujoma

 

The Federal Government has commiserated with the government and people of the Republic of Namibia on the passing of their first President, Dr. Sam Nujoma.

Nujoma, the founding president of Namibia died at the weekend at the age of 95 years.

The revolutionary leader, who served as Namibia’s first president for 15 years, died on Saturday night in the nation’s capital, Windhoek.

Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba said Nujoma died from an illness after being hospitalised in the capital, Windhoek.

A statement by Acting Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the departed leader as a visionary and a pan-Africanist.

The statement read, “The departed elder statesman was a visionary leader, a pan-Africanist and a relentless freedom fighter, who dedicated his life to the emancipation of Namibia from colonial rule.

“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality and self-determination not only shaped the destiny of Namibia but also inspired generations of Africans in the fight against oppression and injustice.

“As the pioneer President, Dr. Nujoma laid the foundation for a nation built on the principles of democracy, reconciliation, and development.

“His leadership set the country on a path of peace and progress, earning him the respect and admiration of the international community.

“Nigeria shares in the grief of our Namibian brothers and sisters at this moment of profound loss. We remember Dr. Nujoma as a true friend of Nigeria and a steadfast ally in pursuing African solidarity and cooperation.

“His legacy as a freedom fighter and statesman will forever remain a source of inspiration for the continent.

“Therefore, in this time of mourning, Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Namibia and reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship and partnership between our two nations. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

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Obasanjo: Leaders have to step on toes, I sacked my daughter for coming late 

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Obasanjo: Leaders have to step on toes, I sacked my daughter for coming late 

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says all political of note have had to take difficult decisions including stepping on big toes.

He recalled how he had to sack his daughter from his farm on account of late coming to work.

According to Obasanjo, that action had a major effect on all his employees and they said, “if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”

The former President made the disclosure while hosting the new Chairman, Board of Management of Federal Medical Centre Idi-Aba in Abeokuta, Dr Dayo Israel, who was on courtesy visit to him the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He told his visitor to prepare for the challenges ahead and be ready to step on toes, if necessary, for a successful tenure of office.

He said, “No leader of note I ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.”

Dr Israel was in company of the FMC, Abeokuta Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and members of his management team.

The former President, according to a statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Dr Segun Orisajo said: “If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.

“Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, then at University of Ibadan, studying Veterinary Medicine was engaged on my farm to gain some practical experience during long vacation”.

“On day one, she resumed a quarter past seven in the morning as against the usual 7 o’clock. I warned her, reminding her that she has an obligation to be of good example to other workers. I told her I will not hesitate to wield the big stick should the same be repeated going forward.

“To my amazement, the following day, she was late to work again. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate.”

“Not surprisingly, this had an indescribable effect on all my employees, saying “if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”

Earlier, the FMCA Board Chairman, Dr Israel, described Obasanjo as an international colossus, full of wisdom and wits.

Israel said: “Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always so much fun. As we begin this journey of transformation at FMC Abeokuta, Baba’s wisdom and experience are invaluable.”

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