Speaking to attendees at the book reading on Saturday in Lagos, Nono disclosed that one of her primary inspirations was her growing concern over the erosion of authenticity and genuine emotional connection in modern relationships and society.

The writer said she observed that many individuals conform to societal expectations rather than embracing their true selves, leading to a loss of personal and collective integrity.

Nono also stressed that when women are overburdened, stifled, or silenced, the entire society bears the consequences.

“The key thing that led me to write this book, like the major thing, is that we have lost the glory, not just as people but in our relationships. So it’s easier for people to say that the dating pool is muddy. What mudded it?” she said.

“It is our approach to authenticity, how are we living out the authentic aspect of our lives? How are we telling the stories of who we are? Not what the society wants us to be, but who we are as individual entities, and how is that translating to how we relate to one another?”

The communications strategist and author further emphasised the societal impact of women’s well-being.

“And if women are stressed, the society would be stressed. It is a conversation we would always have because it is their mentality that raises the rest of the society, the children, and the family, is the bedrock of the society,” she said.

“So I want us to understand that ‘Ichabod: Daughter Who Did Not Inherit Their Mother’s Silence’ is like a revelation where we understand that instead of saying it does not concern you, you can sit down, look at the issue, and say there is an injustice done here.

“And there is a way we can bring order. Because at the end of the day, if we can unanimously agree that there has been a problem, then we can unanimously look for a solution to it.”

Her debut reading also sparked discussions around the systemic limitations placed on women in Nigeria and across the globe.

Follow us on twitter