The United Nations Foundation on the 20th of November, 2019 honoured Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, among others in the global leadership category at its annual awards ceremony.
This year’s ceremony held on the eve of the United Nations’ 75th anniversary and called ‘We the Peoples’. It was held to honour the founding ideals and vision articulated in the UN Charter.
The honorees – advocates, business leaders, UN humanitarian workers, and more – strive for a more equitable and sustainable world.
The award-winning novelist earned recognition with a Global Leadership Award. This was for using literature and storytelling to connect with diverse people on issues of gender and racial equality.
Also, put into consideration was her being a leader on the frontlines of global progress. This comes after Adichie’s “Half of A Yellow Sun” made the list on BBC’s 100 Novels that shaped our world.
The We the Peoples honourees continue to make invaluable contributions to the world. This includes transforming the global food system, defending human rights, and advocating for equality.
The foundation recognizes that their work brings to life the goals enshrined in the UN Charter. The goals are to promote peace, justice, and fundamental human rights for all people.
This year’s ceremony included remarks from UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed. Other honourees at the ceremony included UN staff members who have worked on the frontlines of crisis response, amongst other well-deserving members of society.
Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie is not only the first Nigerian to get the Global Leadership Award. She is also the first African woman. In addition to that, she is also the youngest African to receive the UN Foundation Global Leadership Award.
Previous honourees in this category include former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Kofi Annan.
