On Friday, October 3, 2025, the Writing Centre at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) continued its legacy of intellectual inquiry and literary appreciation through a stimulating Book Club event — a morning of conversation, reflection, and shared humanity.
The session, held at the 24-Hour Room of the Robert Pastor Library and E-Learning Centre, was led by Dr. Seun Israel Adeleke of the English Department, supported by Mrs. Emilienne Akpan and Mrs. Ogechi Dan Okereke. The discussion centered on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s celebrated short story collection, The Thing Around Your Neck.
For years, the Writing Centre’s Book Club has been a cornerstone of AUN’s efforts to cultivate a reading culture among students — a space where literature becomes a mirror, a dialogue, and sometimes, a protest. Explaining the purpose of the initiative, Mrs. Okereke emphasized that the club “is designed to help students engage deeply with texts, discuss the issues they raise, and view the world through the lens of diverse authors.”
Dr. Adeleke noted that the choice of Adichie’s work was deliberate — not only for its artistic brilliance but also for its enduring ideological relevance. “Every form of writing,” he said, “is ideological, whether consciously or unconsciously. Adichie’s stories push us to interrogate the social systems and power structures that shape our everyday lives.” One such system, he explained, is the communal avuncular culture common in African societies, where men often assume the title of “uncle” as a sign of respect or familiarity.
Yet, in many cases, this title becomes a mask for exploitation. In The Thing Around Your Neck, Adichie exposes how such traditions, left unexamined, can endanger women under the guise of kinship. Beyond gender, the discussion also explored Adichie’s nuanced portrayal of migration and alienation.
Through the story of Akunna — a young woman who wins the U.S. visa lottery only to face isolation abroad — the facilitators invited students to reflect on the myth of the “American dream.” “Adichie cautions us,” Dr. Adeleke observed, “that emigration is not always as rosy as it is imagined. For many, it comes with loneliness, identity struggles, and the weight of starting over.” Students in attendance found the session both eye-opening and personally resonant.
Veronica Offiong, attending for the first time, described it as “touching, reflection-provoking, and contemporary.” She highlighted the themes of immigration, racism, and feminism, adding that Adichie’s work “mirrors societal realities through fiction, reminding us of the vices we sometimes ignore in real life.”
Another participant, Ikeyinna Ekweozor, shared his motivation for joining the discussion. “Life has gotten so fast-paced,” he said, “and I felt I was losing sight of what I really love — reading and quiet reflection.
The session felt like a breath of fresh air.” He also praised Akunna’s courage to flee from her abusive “uncle,” calling it a moment of powerful agency. “It made me think about how dangerous that so-called ‘uncle’ culture can be,” he noted, echoing Dr. Adeleke’s critique of the avuncular system.
Throughout the morning, students engaged in lively exchanges about gender, identity, and belonging, each voice adding a unique layer to the tapestry of interpretation. Mrs. Akpan reflected that such discussions embody the Writing Centre’s core mission — to awaken critical thought through the joy of reading.
“The AUN Book Club,” she remarked, “remains committed to helping students fall in love with reading again — reading that makes them think, question, and grow.”
As the event drew to a close, a thoughtful stillness settled over the room — the kind that follows deep contemplation. In that silence, Adichie’s words, Dr. Adeleke’s insights, and the students’ reflections converged into one resounding message: ‘Literature is not merely to be read; it is to be lived, questioned, and reimagined.’
Reported by Akachukwu Madueke