Sun-Times Reporter, Her Mother Discuss Their ‘Escape from Nigeria’


From 1967 until 1970, Nigeria fought a devastating civil war with the secessionist state of Biafra, whose Igbo people demanded independence from the ruling government.

Startling images of starvation and violence filled the news around the world. Amid that upheaval, a mother separated from her husband by thousands of miles fought to protect and feed their young children. Through a remarkable chain of events, and extraordinary intervention by a group of strangers, the couple was reunited and settled with their children here in Chicago.

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One of those children grew up to be award-winning journalist Maudlyne Ihejirika, who collaborated with her mother on the new book “Escape from Nigeria: A Memoir of Faith, Love and War.”

Maudlyne Ihejirika joins host Brandis Friedman on Tuesday to discuss the book. She is the urban affairs reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. Also joining us is Maudlyne's mother, Angelina Ihejirika, co-author of “Escape from Nigeria.”


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