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Chimamanda Adichie says powerful Lagos based media man sexually assaulted her at 17

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Chimamanda Adichie, a celebrated Nigerian author, says she was sexually assaulted by “a powerful man in the media” when she was 17.

Adichie said the unnamed individual assaulted her in his office in Lagos when she went to seek his help for a book launch.

She made the disclosure on Tuesday while delivering the closing speech at the Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality in Sweden.

Narrating the incident, Adichie said: “When I was 17 years old, I wrote a book of really bad poetry which I hope no one will ever read. But true to the delusional ambition of youth, I thought that it was a wonderful book.

“And in Nigeria, when a book is published, it is customary to have a book launch, to introduce the book to the public. And so I set about planning a book launch for this terrible book.

“There was a powerful man in the media who I knew could help with this book launch. And so I found my way to his office in Lagos and I told him about my book. Would he please support the book? I asked.

“He was very impressed that while other teenagers were hardly reading at all, I was serious and focused enough to have written a book.

“He was pleasant, warm and then he got up from his desk and walked around to where I was seated, and he stood behind me, and in a move that was as swift as it was shocking, he slipped his hands under my buttoned-down shirt, under my bra and squeezed my breast.

“I was so taken aback that I did nothing for seconds. Then I pushed his hands away, but gently, nicely because I did not want to offend him.

“Later that day, I broke into a rash on my chest, my neck, my face, as though my body were recoiling, as though my body was saying what my lips were not saying.

“I felt a deep loathing for that man and for what he did. I felt as if I didn’t matter, yet I told no one about it and I kept talking to him, being polite, hoping he would help.

“I was a feminist long before I knew what the word meant. I did not read feminist text. I knew that the world will not give to women the same dignities it gave to men.

Adichie went on to talk about how women are expected to be lesser than they are in a bid to make men feel secure.

GrassRoots.ng is on a critical mission; to objectively and honestly represent the voice of ‘grassrooters’ in International, Federal, State and Local Government fora; heralding the achievements of political and other leaders and investors alike, without discrimination. This daily, digital news publication platform serves as the leading source of up-to-date information on how people and events reflect on the global community. The pragmatic articles reflect on the life of the community people, covering news/current affairs, business, technology, culture and fashion, entertainment, sports, State, National and International issues that directly impact the locals.

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Sports

Portugal Football Club Signs on 19-Year-Old Nigerian- born Footballer, Yaqub Usman-Malah

Reporter: Sandra Ani

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Portugal Football Club signs Nigerian
L-r: President, Brito Sport Club, Jose de Castro Dias and Nigerian-born young footballer, Yaqub Usman-Malah during the official contact signing in Portugal recently.

Brito Sporting Club of Portugal, a football club founded in 1956, has signed an official contract with a United Kingdom-based highly-talented, young Nigeria-born footballer, Yaqub Usman-Malah.

The official unveiling of the young promising footballer was carried out on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Yaqub, born in Nigeria in 2006, is a budding Nigerian talent with unquantifiable promise and potential.

Prior to his official contract with Brito Sporting Club of Portugal, he was a student and a trainee player with the Brooke College Football Academy in the United Kingdom.

At Brooke College Football Academy, Yaqub had an impressive goal average of 17 goals in 32 matches with no injuries in 116 training days, cumulating into 2, 270 minutes of on-field action.

A clear testimony of his outstanding performance at the Academy was provided by the lead coach of the Under-17B team Yaqub played with.

The lead coach, Tomasz Wasylik, described Yaqub as a ‘well-liked person’ and a role model to his teammates due to his professionalism and unmatched work rate.

The Lead Coach further stated that Yaqub has played in National School Cup competitions against other colleges and programmes in the 2023/2024 session and is a good ‘tactical player’, ‘technically good” and can ‘play in multiple positions on the field’.

It is expected that Yaqub will live to the potential and promise identified by Coach Tomasz Wasylik of the Brooke College Football Academy and achieve greatness in his new club.

“While looking forward to the display of his unarguable skills and boundless stamina, we wish Yaqub a successful career and a place in the halls of football greatness across the globe,” Yaqub’s father, Mr Usman Malah said in a statement issued to the media, on Wednesday 8, 2025.

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Entertainment

Spotify’s ‘Detty December’ Hub and Spotify’s ‘Songs of December’ now live

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Spotify Africa TopCharts

Spotify today announced the launch of its ‘Detty December’ hub with playlists for December, a celebration of the vibrant festive season in West Africa and South Africa. The hub is a one-stop shop for all things Detty December, with curated playlists featuring the biggest hits and emerging sounds of the season. Users can find everything from Afrobeats and Amapiano anthems to chilled-out vibes for those much-needed recovery days.  

“Detty December is a special time for our users in West Africa and ke Dezemba symbolises South Africa’s spirit of celebration,” said Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa. “We’re excited to be part of their celebrations with this dedicated hub and playlists, bringing them the best music to soundtrack their festive moments.”

This unapologetic season of street jams, back-to-back concerts, and endless summer fun has developed its own culture that draws diaspora and local fans alike. The curated sounds of Spotify’s Detty December hub will pay homage to the Lagos rooftop lounges, Accra’s beachside festivals, and South Africa’s township tunes that keep people grooving.   

In addition to the hub, Spotify has also launched a new playlist called ‘Songs of Detty December’. This playlist is a curated list from Spotify Africa’s editors on the songs predicted to dominate this year’s Detty December. From DJ Skelm’s Afro Tech sounds to Flytime Fest’s tour of songs that tell Africa’s aspirational stories, the hub will be the home of takeover playlists that display Africa’s diverse talent. Barrier-breaking Amapiano talent Kamo_ww has taken over a South African Summer playlist too.    

Spotify is also supporting Jerk x Jollof, a popular event making its way to Africa for the first time, through its Frequency program. Held at The Ostrich event space, the Jerk x Jollof Cape Town takeover will feature DJs and artists such as TxC, DBN Gogo, Spinall, Sarz and Odeal, merging the spirit of Detty December and ke Dezemba experiences and bringing South and West African cultures and artists together.  

“We’re committed to supporting African music and culture,” said Okumu. “We believe that music is a powerful way to bring people together, and we’re excited to be part of the Detty December celebrations.”

You can keep the good vibes going as you make your way to the hotel, beach or next Detty December party with Spotify’s curated and immersive sound selection. Discover something new or run the year’s best party anthems back on your app today. 

The ‘Detty December’ hub is available now on Spotify.

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Spotlight

Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu Breaks Barriers, Wins MTN Nigeria Partners Award 2024

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Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu
Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu

In an extraordinary display of excellence, Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu, a leading MTN Nigeria partner from Enugu, has shattered records to claim the top prize at the 2024 MTN Nigeria Partners Award.

Adonu emerged as the number one partner in airtime and data distribution across Nigeria, a monumental achievement that marks the first time a partner from the Southeast has reached such heights in the history of MTN Nigeria.

This victory is not just a personal milestone for Adonu but a transformative moment for the Southeast region.

His success is a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and determination. In a competitive field of partners nationwide, Adonu’s achievement stands as a bold reminder that greatness knows no boundaries.

“This is more than an award; it is a symbol of what is possible when you believe in yourself and commit fully to your vision,” Adonu said during his acceptance speech. “I dedicate this victory to the Southeast region and to everyone striving to achieve the impossible. Let this inspire us all to break barriers and set new records.”

MTN Nigeria lauded Adonu’s exceptional contribution, describing his win as a historic moment that underscores the importance of dedication and strategic leadership.

“Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu’s success is proof that dreams backed by action can rewrite history. He has set a new standard for excellence and innovation among all MTN partners,” said a senior MTN executive.

This milestone achievement is a source of pride for the Southeast region and an inspiration for future generations. Adonu’s journey demonstrates that with focus and determination, even the loftiest goals can be achieved.

His groundbreaking success is a rallying cry for others to push boundaries, take bold steps, and transform their aspirations into reality.

Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu’s victory will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on MTN Nigeria’s history and the telecommunications industry as a whole, igniting a wave of ambition and progress nationwide.

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