I first met Chinwenwa Wando Abama, or Chi Chi as we all affectionately call her, during our Strategy Session in 2023. She stood out from the crowd with her calm yet vibrant energy, a soft elegance that commanded attention, and an outfit that made everyone take a second glance. If you know Chi Chi, you know. Chi Chi is a fashionista through and through. Always draped in bold colours and meticulously chosen accessories, she has a way of making her presence known while not saying much.
But it wasn’t just her outward style that made her shine in the days to come—it was the woman underneath. Chi Chi’s presence feels like a cool breeze on a hot Nigerian afternoon. She is magnetic you dare not repel her, and the way she brings people together is nothing short of magic. Chi Chi is for everybody. From her maternal Igbo heritage to her paternal roots in Taraba, Wando embodies the intricate blend of cultures that make Nigeria what it is… beautiful.
I remember one time when Chi Chi told me that she loved to live in colour. She thrives in diversity, and she wears her heritage with pride. No questions asked, Chi Chi is a patriot. For Chi Chi, being from two different worlds meant she could bridge gaps, open conversations, and unite hearts.
Her family, just like some other inter-ethnic families is a beautiful mosaic of Nigeria’s diversity. Chi Chi grew up in Lagos and London, now living in Abuja, which has not only opened her up to three more cultures but the many other cultures of these cities’ residents. Her inter-ethnic blend has shaped her into someone who can walk into any space and feel at home. She is like air, able to switch her form and strengths as needed and desired to fit anywhere. For an aura like hers, everywhere IS home.
One of the most remarkable things about Chi Chi is her innate ability to convene people. I’ve seen her effortlessly plan gatherings where we all find common ground. Her strength is her warmth and ability to raise the energy in the room on any given day; her power is her listening ear. Chi Chi is a beacon of togetherness. When she speaks of Nigeria and its people, she speaks of it with love—a deep, unconditional love for all its imperfections, potentials and strengths.
In a country often fractured by ethnic lines, Chi Chi is a living reminder that our shared identity as Nigerians is stronger than our differences. She taught me that independence is not just a celebration of our nation’s freedom from colonialism but also a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come in building a truly united Nigeria, even though it may not seem as though we’re doing a great job of that.
Chi Chi, just like me, a fellow intra-tribal child, represents the spirit of Nigeria herself—a spirit that is bright, bold, and yet composed. We are one, no matter where we come from. We must continue to rise together, to shine together.
Chi Chi remains my South-Eastern gem with Northern roots, a woman who carries the weight of her heritage with grace and joy. ChiChi reflects many of us. She reminds me, every day, what it means to be Nigerian: to honour our past, embrace our present, and shine into our future.
