University of Alberta Canada, Names Nigeria’s Former Ambassador as Writer-in-Residence
By Moses A. Uyang
In keeping with her values of taking personal initiatives and exploring new possibilities, the down-to-earth and highly intelligent Nigeria’s Former Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Amb. Ifeoma Chinwuba has taken up the role of Writer-in-Residence at the Faculty of Arts, Department of English and Film Studies, University of Alberta, Canada.
Amb. Chinwuba who has represented Nigeria as a resourceful diplomat for many years is also a prolific writer and author of published books. In her statement published on the University’s website, she noted:
“From child refugee to Ambassador; this is the summary of my trajectory.
After the Biafra War in my country, I went back to school, studied the classics and on graduation, I was recruited to join the Foreign Service of my native country, Nigeria. As a diplomat, I travelled to over sixty countries. Travels which, in retrospect, were really field trips for me. I encounter cultures and civilizations much like a botanist in the wild encounters species. An Igbo proverb has it that a traveller knows more than the homebound white hairs.
I grew up with story-telling. In the absence of electricity and technology, adults regaled us children with tales of yore, entertaining and inculcating culture and good behaviour at the same time. I, in turn, have told these stories to my children; with the advent of the printed word, we commit our stories to write.
I should mention that my father was the principal of a boys’ college. We had a library at home which he encouraged his nine children to visit. It was either that or a house chore. Reading voraciously demystified literature. I told myself if So-and-So could do it, why not me? They don’t have two heads.
And so, here I am, author of five books, made up of novels, poetry in dialogue and a juvenile novella. My Merchants of Flesh and Waiting for Maria have, at different times, won the Prose Prizes of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), while Waiting for Maria was on the Longlist of The Commonwealth Writers Prize, 2008.
I am coming to Edmonton as a scientist on a field trip – to scout for new experiences and to seek inspiration for my future literary exertions.
I am coming to Edmonton to leave material cares behind and focus on giving flesh to the literary skeletons that abound in my cupboard.
I am coming to Edmonton to interact with the community, to exchange ideas on literature and writing, to make friends, and acquaint myself with the province of Alberta and its environs.
Thank you, University of Alberta, for having me as your Writer-in-Residence 2021-2022.”
Without any form of doubts, University of Alberta have in their midst, a woman they will forever cherish. Congratulations to Nigeria’s own daughter.