Wole Adedoyin interviews Pacella Chukwuma-Eke: It Saddens Me to See People Denied the Right to Live Because of Their Gender

WA: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND?
PACELLA: My name is Pacella Chukwuma-Eke. I am a writer from Anambra State, Nigeria, and the author of two books: Love in its Bliss and Sins and The Apocalypse. I am currently studying Human Physiology at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Uli, Anambra State.

WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS INTER-UNIVERSITY ESSAY COMPETITION?
PACELLA: I first saw the link in the Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation’s WhatsApp group—a non-governmental organization I belong to. Shortly after, I also received an email from IHRAF, as I’m subscribed to their mailing list.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION?
PACELLA: I have a strong interest in advocating for human rights. As a poet, much of my recent work reflects the oppression women face in today’s society, so this competition felt like the right platform to amplify my voice.

WA: WHAT SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE DID YOU ADDRESS IN YOUR ESSAY?
PACELLA: I focused on femicide, sexual abuse, and systemic prejudice against women and girls.

WA: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC?
PACELLA: As a Nigerian, I am personally affected by these issues. It deeply saddens me to see people denied the right to live simply because of their gender. Just last year, Nigeria recorded an alarming number of femicide cases, which compelled me to speak out.

WA: CAN YOU SUMMARIZE THE KEY ARGUMENT OR MESSAGE OF YOUR ESSAY?
PACELLA: My essay is a call to revolution—a warning to those who mistake women’s meekness for weakness. Women are more than victims, more than unanswered prayers. We are warriors too. And if we collectively fight for our voices, we will be seen, heard, and able to demand safety.

WA: HOW DID YOUR ACADEMIC STUDIES INFLUENCE THE APPROACH YOU TOOK IN WRITING YOUR ESSAY?
PACELLA: Human Physiology studies how living systems function. From it, I have learned not only the physical consequences of molestation but also the profound harm caused by the emotional neglect and coldness victims often face. Such disregard can be as dangerous as the abuse itself.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU ENCOUNTER WHILE RESEARCHING OR WRITING YOUR ESSAY?
PACELLA: Balancing my emotions with logical reasoning was incredibly difficult. Writing Agnus Dei meant confronting painful truths that stirred strong feelings.

WA: HOW HAS PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMPETITION SHAPED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN AFRICA?
PACELLA: I appreciated the fluidity of the competition’s theme—it didn’t confine human rights to a single definition. It helped me understand the breadth and complexity of these issues across the continent.

WA: IN YOUR OPINION, HOW IMPORTANT ARE ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS LIKE THIS IN RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS?
PACELLA: They are crucial. Unfortunately, such opportunities rarely reach science-based institutions. Every individual—regardless of discipline—should have a voice in matters that affect us all.

WA: DID THE COMPETITION ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THE ROLE OF STUDENTS IN ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS CAUSES?
PACELLA: Yes. It gave me a platform to express my concerns and reaffirmed the importance of student voices in advocacy.

WA: WERE THERE ANY ENTRIES OR TOPICS FROM OTHER PARTICIPANTS THAT PARTICULARLY RESONATED WITH YOU?
PACELLA: Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to read the other entries.

WA: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO USE THE KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THIS COMPETITION MOVING FORWARD?
PACELLA: I plan to keep my perspective broad, refusing to fit human rights issues into a box, and to use my voice in ways that benefit society.

WA: WHAT ROLE DO YOU BELIEVE UNIVERSITIES SHOULD PLAY IN PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION ACROSS AFRICA?
PACELLA: Universities should fund student research on human rights, even when it isn’t tied to final-year projects. This would encourage broader engagement.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING WITH STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE CONTINENT?
PACELLA: It was exciting. Competitions like this open us to diverse perspectives and provide a fair, healthy platform for discussion.

WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR ESSAY WILL HAVE ON READERS AND POLICYMAKERS?
PACELLA: I hope it inspires empathy.

WA: HOW DO YOU THINK YOUNG AFRICAN SCHOLARS CAN CONTRIBUTE MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
PACELLA: We often underestimate the power of our voices. Creative writing is a global stage, and we must use every available resource to create the change we seek.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE ENTRANTS OF THIS COMPETITION?
PACELLA: Be vulnerable. Write about what truly concerns you. Show us where it hurts and point to the path you wish we could take.

WA: BEYOND WRITING, IN WHAT OTHER WAYS DO YOU ADVOCATE FOR OR SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
PACELLA: Education. As a member of the Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation, I sometimes have the opportunity to speak to secondary school students about the power of storytelling as a tool for change.

WA: WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC OR CAREER ASPIRATIONS AFTER THIS COMPETITION, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO HUMAN RIGHTS?
PACELLA: As a growing spoken word poet, I aspire to connect with people within and beyond Nigeria—sharing stories, building awareness, and inspiring change.

Pacella Chukwuma-Eke is the first-prize winner of the recently concluded African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition. She is also the author of Love in its Bliss and Sins—first runner-up for the Nigerian Prize for Teen Authors (Poetry Category)—and The Apocalypse. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, she discusses her winning entry and her deep passion for human rights activism.