CHIDERA MUOKA

What country were you educated in:

 Nigeria.

What makes your country special:

To me, what makes my country special is the spirit of the people, I think we are a hilarious bunch; we are motivated, very hardworking and always looking for a way to laugh in a serious situation. I think the spirit of the people makes Nigeria Nigeria.

What is your favourite city and why:

For me, it has to be Lagos. so you know how they say if you can make it in New York I think, you can make it anywhere (I think being the key word), I feel the same way about Lagos. I gave up opportunities to work in Calabar after my youth service because I knew if I could make it in Lagos, I could make it anywhere else big time.

Where is your favourite place to hang out in your city:

(smirks) my house, I say my house because I like my me-time, but if you were looking for a chill vibe, I don’t know a lot of these places (laughs) I really tried thinking and I have no idea. I don’t have a favourite place to hang out because I am either always working on something or working somewhere. So sorry I cannot answer that to your taste (grins).

What is your favourite restaurant in your city:

 (laughs) I just said I never go anywhere. Okay, I don’t have a favourite, but if I feel like Italian, I’d be at La Veranda, and if I am thinking of junk fast food, then Papa’s Grill. But restaurant choice depends on my cravings. 

What is your favourite gallery in your city:

 I think this is a little biased, but I’d have to say ReLe Gallery.

Tell us about your favourite African travel destination:

Hmmmm! I think my favourite African travel destination at the moment is Rwanda. There’s just so much history, culture and calmness there. The air is different in Rwanda. It is also good to know that they are using their history and pain to shape themselves into being one of the best countries in Africa.

Have any books (plays or films) changed your life:

I think Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie change my life, and other books from her impacted the way I’ve built my life.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party (dead or alive):

I’d like to have Rihanna, Angelina Jolie, Chimamanda Adichie.

Who is your style icon:

I move between Rihanna. Anna Wintour and Victoria Beckham.

What item of clothing do you wear the most:

If I had to choose, I’d say an oversized T-shirt or denim.

Tell us about your most extravagant fashion purchase:

Ha! I would not classify has extravagant but for someone who wears jeans and tees, it would be the Studio Imo pieces I got last year.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life:

More money! Is that cliche? I mean we all need more money even if we need to act like we don’t. However, if I am being honest, being in a country that works would do that for me.

What are your guilty pleasures:

 Shopping on things I know are unnecessary.

What makes Africa special to you:

I won’t say I have a broad sense about Africa, but what makes the continent special is the importance of culture and history in every country and how it affects everything they do. It can be a good and a bad thing. 

If you were the [President, Leader, Prime Minister ] of your country for the day what would you do:

 I don’t think anything I do would change my country for a day. As much as it is a fun question, it would make no direct impact as whoever resumes after me can also revert my decisions. So, how about President for 4 years then I would have an appropriate answer. 

Which living person do you most admire:

 It’d still be Rihanna, because I like how hardworking and free-spirited she is. Based off what I know from my perception of her, she is one of the few people that work hard to attain the life she wants while maintaining her roots. 

Where do you see your country in 10 years time:

 To be honest, I don’t like to project much for my country, but I feel like in 10 years we might just have gotten that revolutionary spirit that takes us from being a 3rd World country to being a 1st World country.

How is technology changing your country:

Technology has created disruptive ideas in different sectors like finance and agriculture. I wish we would embrace this development.

Tell us about your favourite charity, what work do they carry out: 

That will be Sanitary Aid Ng (@ freesanitarypad on twitter)

Why does the T I A project appeal to you:

The T I A project appeals to me not because it is an African brand but also because of the level of quality they aspire to attain and their commitment to giving back a certain portion of their profit to the society through charity.