Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Named Face of British Cosmetic Line
Acclaimed novelist and outwardly spoken feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, widely known by younger audiences for her appearance on Beyonce’s “Flawless” song, has recently been named the face of Boots N07 Cosmetics.
The popular British drugstore brand’s recent collaboration with the 39-year-old Nigerian author comes with a campaign to challenge stereotypical definitions of beauty.
“I think much of beauty advertising relies on a false premise — that women need to be treated in an infantile way, given a ‘fantasy’ to aspire to,” Adichie recently told Vogue U.K. “Real women are already inspired by other real women, so perhaps beauty advertising needs to get on board.”
Kenyan President Commutes Thousands on Death Row
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta recently signed documents to commute the sentences of all of the country’s death row inmates.
During an Oct. 24 during a ceremony at the president’s official residence, Kenyatta commuted 2,747 death sentences to lifetime imprisonment and pardoned 102 long-term convicts.
Though Kenya has not carried out an execution since 1987, Amnesty International welcomed the document, urging Kenya to officially abolish the death sentence.
“The decision to commute death sentences brings Kenya closer to the growing community of nations that have abolished this cruel and inhuman form of punishment,” said Muthoni Wanyeki, the regional director for Amnesty International.
Kenyatta’s predecessor, Mwai Kibaki, took similar action in 2009, commuting the sentences of 4,000 prisoners on death row.
Benin Welcomes New Oba
Benin residents welcome the new coronation of the Crown Prince of Benin, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, as a symbol of peace and hope.
The nation’s 40th ruler — who will be known as Oba Ewuare II — had worked in the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Economic Community of West Africa and as the Nigerian Ambassador to Sweden, Angola and Italy. He was crowned last week and is expected to usher in a new era of peace and development in the Benin Kingdom.
As ministers, governors, diplomats and members of the National Assembly joined together in the crowning of the new “Oba,” the traditional ruler of the Edo people and head of the historic Eweka dynasty of the Great Benin Empire, Oba Ewuare II promised to tackle unemployment and poverty in the Benin Kingdom through the establishment of the Benin Royal Dynasty Trust and the Benin Royal Academy for Performing Arts.
