Good morning everyone,

I am honored to be here on this International Women’s Day to speak to you about the
power of drafting your own destiny, using Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s life as an
example.

Today, I want to talk about destiny. For many of us, the concept of destiny is comforting.
It suggests that there is a plan for our lives, a purpose that we are meant to fulfill. And in
some ways, that can be true. We all have unique talents, passions, and perspectives that
can shape the world in meaningful ways. But at the same time, I believe that destiny is
not something that is predetermined, but something that we can create for ourselves.

As a man, it is important for me to acknowledge the privilege that I have in society

simply because of my gender. I recognize that women face unique challenges and
obstacles that men do not, and I believe that it is our responsibility as men to stand in
solidarity with women and work towards a more equitable world. Chimamanda Ngozi
Adichie's life and work have taught me a great deal about the importance of gender
equality, and I am honored to speak about her today.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian novelist, writer, and public speaker, known for
her powerful speeches on feminism and gender equality. Her works have been
translated into over 30 languages, and she has won numerous awards for her writing,
including the Orange Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Chimamanda’s life is an inspiration to many, especially women. She has shown us that it
is possible to overcome the obstacles that society throws at us and to create our own
paths in life. In this speech, I will share with you some of the lessons we can learn from
Chimamanda’s life.

Lesson #1: Embrace Your Identity

One of the things that stands out about Chimamanda’s work is her embrace of her
Nigerian identity. She has spoken many times about the importance of African voices
being heard and the need to challenge the stereotypes that are often perpetuated
about Africa.

Growing up in Nigeria, Chimamanda was exposed to a diverse range of cultures and

languages, which inspired her writing. In her early years, she struggled to reconcile her
love of literature with her Nigerian identity, as she felt that most of the books she read
were not representative of her culture.
Chimamanda’s solution was to write her own stories, drawing on her Nigerian heritage
and experiences. She wrote about the struggles and triumphs of Nigerian women, and
in doing so, she helped to break down the stereotypes that had been perpetuated
about Africa.

The lesson we can learn from Chimamanda is to embrace our own identities, whatever
they may be. Whether we are women, members of a particular race or ethnicity, we
should celebrate our identities and use them as a source of strength and inspiration.

Lesson #2: Pursue Your Passions

Another lesson we can learn from Chimamanda’s life is the importance of pursuing our
passions. Chimamanda knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer, but it
wasn’t always an easy path.

In Nigeria, writing was not seen as a viable career path, and Chimamanda was
encouraged to pursue a more traditional career, such as medicine or law. However, she
was determined to follow her dreams and enrolled in a writing program in the United
States.

Chimamanda’s passion for writing has driven her to create some of the most powerful
works of literature of our time. Her novels, such as “Purple Hibiscus” and “Half of a
Yellow Sun,” have been critically acclaimed and have inspired many young writers
around the world.

The lesson we can learn from Chimamanda is to pursue our passions, even if they do not
fit into society’s narrow definitions of success. By following our passions, we can achieve
great things and inspire others to do the same.

Lesson #3: Speak Your Truth

Chimamanda is known for her powerful speeches on feminism and gender equality. She
has spoken out about the need for women to be treated as equals and for men to be
allies in the fight for gender equality.

Her TED Talk, “We Should All Be Feminists,” has been viewed over 6 million times and
has inspired a generation of young women to speak out about the issues that matter to
them.
Chimamanda’s commitment to speaking her truth, even when it is uncomfortable, is a
lesson for all of us. We should never be afraid to speak out about the issues that matter
to us, whether it is gender equality, racial justice, or any other issue.

Lesson #4: Challenge the status quo

One of the things that sets Chimamanda apart is her willingness to challenge the status
quo. In her writing and her public speaking, she has tackled issues that are often
considered taboo or controversial, such as racism, sexism, and the African diaspora.

Chimamanda's willingness to speak out about these issues has made her a powerful
voice for change. She has inspired countless people to rethink their assumptions and to
question the systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice.

The lesson here is that if you want to make a difference in the world, you need to be
willing to challenge the status quo. Don't be afraid to speak out about the things that
matter to you, even if they're uncomfortable or unpopular. It's only by challenging the
status quo that we can create real change.

I conclude In the words of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "We teach girls to shrink
themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to boys, 'You can be anything.' But we
don't teach boys vulnerability or empathy. We don't teach girls bravery or leadership.
We are failing both boys and girls by not teaching them the full spectrum of human
experience." Let's break free from limiting stereotypes and expectations, and embrace
the full spectrum of our humanity. Let's create our own destiny, and in doing so, inspire
others to do the same.

To all women of valor, happy Women’s Day.

THANK YOU.