Dear Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,

I love to write and I do that through this art form called stand-up comedy. I don’t know if you care for standup but I write because it gives me a certain sense of pride.

Purple Hibiscus is one of those books that makes a writer proud. And I know you have received numerous praises for the book. But I want to personally thank you for it because it is a gift that keeps giving. I have read the book so many times and it has inspired me to write and perform a comedy special which draws its main theme from the book.

Religion and the power it has over the human mind has always bothered me for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a troubled religious household just like Kambili. My mum is a devout Christian and my dad is what Christians hate the most, a traditional worshiper.

I saw how much his choice of religion bothered my mum. Most times, her worries were not about him but for us the children. She feared that he might influence us into what she called “Devil Worshipping”. She said a lot of distasteful things about his beliefs to us in our home and sometimes even in front of him just to let us know that her religion was the true one. Dad never reciprocated this energy. He constantly told us “It’s the same God”. The most distasteful thing he ever said about Christianity in front of me was when he mentioned the unprovoked attacks on his religion in popular Christian songs, and he didn’t even say it maliciously. It was often humourous. I mentioned some of the songs in the comedy special.

Now, imagine how I felt when I read for the first time in Purple Hibiscus that Papa Nnukwu still prayed for Eugene despite all he subjected him to. To this day, whenever I find myself in solitude, that part of the book comes to me. A lot of the book mirrors my society – the absolute belief that people have in their faith, the sheer arrogance that theirs is the only true way and a certain sense of spiritual backing that spews absurdities. And logical reasoning cannot undo it. Eugene embodies all of these and one cannot blame him. True faith requires that level of devotion. All the biblical stories I heard in Sunday school point to people who will do extreme things to please their Lord. Abraham almost killed his only son because his God asked him to.

Then, there is Aunty Ifeoma. Aunty Ifeoma truly gave me the leverage for this comedy special. She is as upright as Eugene. But she isn’t as extreme. She understands the parts that were uncalled for. She attended “heathen” ceremonies and allowed her kids to be kids. This is the same perspective my father has. So, I took it upon myself to channel my inner Aunty Ifeoma in this comedy special that I titled “Servant Of The Most High”.

I’m scared though. Religion being discussed in the context of comedy is a tightrope walk. A little lack of focus can throw you off. But I stand in courage. If Purple Hibiscus received not just global success but also home-based acclaim, I believe that these religious opinions of mine in this comedy special will resonate with many. Once again, thank you for Purple Hibiscus.

Servant Of The Most High will be released soon. I would love you to check it out and give me a shout-out if you find it compelling. It will go a long way in spreading the word about a much needed conversation on religious hypocrisy and extremism in Nigeria. You have played your part in the birth of this special. I would love for you to help me finish it.

Yours Sincerely,