CHI-CHI LAYS FIRST EGG; REPUBLIC DECLARES PUBLIC HOLIDAY
The nation's most-followed pullet delivers at last, and delivers a four-word address that instantly enters the national vocabulary.
By Kọ́lápọ̀ Ọ̀nàbánjọ, Chief Correspondent · 2 June 2026
The Republic of Kisi woke on Tuesday to the news it had been refreshing the nesting boxes for: Chidinma 'Chi-Chi' Obiageli, the quiet pullet who arrived at three weeks old with no mother and no expectations, has laid her first egg.
The egg, described by the Ministry of Egg Affairs as 'well-formed, correctly deposited, and frankly moving', was certified within the hour. President Adédoyin, attending in person, ordered flags to the top of the perch and declared a public holiday 'effective immediately, and retroactively, so that no one is marked absent.'
Chi-Chi herself, located behind the water tank by this newspaper, gave a complete statement of four words: 'I did my best.' The Assembly adjourned early. Several senior hens were observed pretending they had dust in their eyes.
Quiet Grace, the rescue hen who sheltered Chi-Chi through her first week at Kisi, made no comment, in the way that only she can make no comment.