Renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie, says she is always worried each time her husband, who happens to be a medical doctor in America, leaves for work.

The author, who stated this in her Instagram page @chiamandaadeichie, also shared a plight following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which is ravaging countries around the world and also shutting down activities globally.

She also revealed that her husband has diagnosed two positive cases of Coronavirus in an American state, being told to brace itself for an onslaught of more cases.

Chimamanda, who described the death of her closest aunt who died from brain aneurysm as “devastating tragedy”, also said that she was now reminded everyday of how fragile breakable humans were as she reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last week, my family suffered a devastating tragedy, the very sudden death of my closest aunt, from a brain aneurysm.

“One day she was well and happy and the next day she was gone. Our time is filled with pain whose cause still does not feel fully true. We cry and yet we feel as though she is not really gone.??

“It is more surreal to grieve a sudden death in these strange times when the world has shut down, places once full are empty, heavy with the ghosts of silent gatherings, and across the world people are dying alone.

“Coronavirus is a menace in the air, a menace inside our heads. Every day I am reminded of how fragile, how breakable we are.??

“My husband is a doctor and each morning when he leaves for work, I worry. My daughter coughs and I worry. My throat itches and I worry.

“On Facetime, I watch my elderly parents. I admonish them gently: Don’t let people come to the house. Don’t read the rubbish news on whatsapp.??

“This is a time to cope in the best way we can. There are moments when our spirits will sag. Moments when we will feel tired after doing absolutely nothing.

“But how can we not? The world as it is today is foreign to us. It would be strange not to be shaken to our core.??
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“I cannot imagine thinking of over-achieving, or of accomplishing more than usual, when all around you the world as you know it has changed, perhaps never to return to what it used to be.

“And yet we must continue to go on day by day. We must choose to live. And to do so we can set small goals. Like drink more water, if you’ve spent the past ten years wanting to be more hydrated.

“Like learn something every day, no matter how small. Like call loved ones – not text them, call them. Like help someone – with a small cash transfer, an encouraging message, a shared laugh.??

“I believe in allowing myself to feel what I feel. But endless negative feelings are enervating.

“And so to manage it I give myself time to feel what I am feeling – an hour, or two, or three, or four – and then when the time is up, I try to push my mind into a different territory.

“It doesn’t always work. But it’s worth trying for when it does work?

She further wrote: “In these pandemic-blighted times, living with a medical professional who so far has diagnosed two positive cases, in an American state being told to brace itself for an onslaught of more cases.

“My goal is to feel anxiety but not allow it fester into paranoia, what helps me is knowledge.

“The news can be emotionally exhausting, and can inflame anxiety, but it is important for me to educate myself.

” I am always careful about my news sources, and I always keep in mind that there is much still unknown about this coronavirus. I will share links to articles in my stories. ??? ???

“I make an effort not to read only about the coronavirus. I have just started reading ‘Selected Poems’ by Kenneth Fearing and a wonderfully honest memoir, ‘Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning’ by Cathy Park Hong. ??? ???.

“I am listening to the great Bill Withers, may he rest in peace.??? ??? ???

“I wish you all strength and as many moments of tranquility as possible. ???.”

Adichie stressed that she worries each time her husband, who is a doctor leaves for work and each time her daughter coughs, suggesting that this is a time to cope in the best way we could.

She further said that she cannot imagine thinking of over-achieving or accomplishing more than usual, when all around the world has changed, perhaps never to return to what it used to be.

Adichie is a Nigerian writer whose works range from novels to short stories to nonfiction.

She was described in ‘The Time Literary Supplement’ as “the most prominent” of a “procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors, who is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature”.

The television series adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s acclaimed novel ‘Americanah’ has been green-lit by HBO Max.

Report has it that Lupita Nyong’o will star as the lead character, Ifemelu while ‘The Walking Dead’ star, Danai Gurira is the showrunner.

HBO Max has given the limited series a 10-episode order with Gurira also writing the pilot for the award-winning novel.

‘Americanah’ tells the story of Ifemelu (Nyong’o), a young, beautiful, self-assured woman raised in Nigeria, who as a teenager falls in love with her classmate Obinze.

Living in a military-ruled country, they each depart for the west, with Ifemelu heading for America.

There, she learned that despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple for the first time with what it means to be black.

On the other hand, quiet and thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous undocumented life in London.

Confirming the news on her social media handles @lupitanyongo, the ‘Us’ actress also said,“‘Americanah’ has been a passion project for me since I read Chimamanda’s beautiful novel in 2013.

Lupita Nyongo and Director Danai Gurira. Photo Credit: QuartzAfrica

“It’s a tale that is simultaneously timely and timeless. HBO Max is the perfect partner to bring this profound and celebrated story to life.

“I’m thrilled that Danai will bring to the project her intelligence, wit, and understanding of the stories and the worlds of ‘Americanah.’”

Nyong’o purchased the film rights to ‘Americanah’ in 2014 and immediately collaborated with fellow Black Panther’s castmate, Gurira to write the screenplay.

However, in 2018, the duo stated that the novel was being turned into a mini-series and not a feature film. They visited Nigeria to do research for the screen project.

This will mark the third time Nyong’o and Gurira work together. Prior to playing Nakia and Okoye in Marvel’s Black Panther, Gurira wrote Eclipsed — the play that landed Nyong’o her first Tony nomination.

Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie has been featured in Meghan Markle’s ‘Forces of Change’ list for British Vogue cover.

The Duchess of Sussex, Markle picked 15 women she considers strong proponents for change for the upcoming September edition of the magazine which she co-edited.

The Duchess, who gave birth to her first child in May, reportedly spent seven months working with British Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Edward Enninful on the issue.

She said in a statement that she had sought to steer the focus of the September issue, usually the year’s most read, to “the values, causes and people making impact in the world today.”

“Through this lens I hope you’ll feel the strength of the collective in the diverse selection of women chosen for the cover as well as the team of support I called upon within the issue to help bring this to light.

“I hope readers feel as inspired as I do, by the ‘Forces for Change’ they’ll find within these pages,” Markle said.

Alongside Adichie, the list also features teenage climate change campaigner, Greta Thunberg, New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, boxer Ramla Ali and actress and women’s rights advocate Salma Hayek Pinault.

Adichie had written bestselling books including “We Should All Be Feminists,” “Americanah” and “The Thing Around Your Neck,” which have been translated into more than thirty languages.

She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2015 and one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2017.

Adichie graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2001 with a degree in communication and political science.

Award-winning author, Chimamanda Adichie, has paid glowing tribute to the late renowned Kenyan author, Binyavanga Wainaina, describing his demise as a loss of a “precious friend.’’

Adichie, who shared photos taken with the late author while dating 15 years ago on her Instagram handle, chimamanda_adichie, professed her undying love for him:

“Binyavanga Wainaina. (1971 – 2019)

“So kind, generous, humorous, brilliant, brave, talented, knowledgeable, wonderfully curious, and so original. I am struggling. To use the past tense. To stop crying.

“My beloved ‘Canga.’ There is nobody else remotely like you. Nobody. With you, I felt so known, so understood. And there is no gift, in a friendship, more precious than this.

“I love you. Always. Rest well. Chimamanda.”

Wainaina was said to have died on May 21 at 48 years after an illness.

He was a key figure in the artistic community and known for promoting local authors.

READ ALSO: 2 Nigerian authors listed among 2019 women’s prize for literature

Wainaina, who won the 2002 Caine Prize for African Writing, wrote several works including an essay, “How to Write About Africa” and a memoir, One Day I Will Write About This Place.

The late writer also wrote a short story, Discovering Home” and ” An Affair to Dismember”

He was described by Time magazine during its annual Time 100 as one of the “Most Influential People in the World”.

Wainaina, who revealed he was HIV-positive, also helped to create tolerance for the Lesbians, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community by coming out publicly in 2014 as a gay in Kenya, a country where laws still criminalise homosexual behaviour.