The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Achebe

  • Achebe ‘the eagle on the Iroko’ goes home today

    Achebe ‘the eagle on the Iroko’ goes home today

    In Ogidi, a rustic settlement near Onitsha, Anambra State, the remains of one of Africa’s greatest literary minds, Prof. Chinua Achebe, will be interred, closing a chapter of a memorable and unforgettable life, writes EVELYN OSAGIE

    LITERARY icon and scholar Prof. Chinua Achebe makes a final return home today in Ogidi, Anambra State. The story of his eventful life began in Nnobi, not far from Ogidi, where people from all walks of life will gather this morning to bid him a farewell after a weeklong funeral activities.

    He died on March 21. He was 82.

    At a Night of Tributes organised at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on May 20 many reflected on his life, literary works and beliefs.

    It was organised by the Chinua Achebe National Transition Committee, whose coordinator, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, said: “The world is not mourning Achebe’s death; the world is celebrating his transition from the world of flesh to the world of immortal spirits, where he rightly belongs. Achebe was a profound academic professor of languages, literature and African studies, the quintessential, literary icon of superlative brilliance, merit and repute.

    “He was a social critic of honest and unparalleled courage, of singleness of purpose and steadfastness of conduct.’’

    A U.S-based scholar Prof. Michael Telwell said the late Achebe shaped the African consciousness. He said his writing elevated his culture and lifted his people.

    The President of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Prof. Remi Raji, urged the Federal Government to retrieve the original script of Things Fall Apart which he said, was allegedly taken away to Cameroon by a scholar in 2008.

    Representative of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Mrs Hazzana Aliduo said the organisation would immortalise the late Achebe by working with ANA to translate his books into several languages.

    She said: “We believe in UNESCO that works of our giants such as that of Achebe should be documented and translated into languages which can easily be accessible by others from other cultures.’’

    Vice-Chancellor University of Nigeria, Nsukka Prof. Bartho Okolo, said the late Achebe showed the light for other writers.

    Okolo said: “He not only opened the path, but he literally led people by the hand through his editorship of the African Writers Series and his work with Okike, a journal the University of Nigeria.

    “Prof. Achebe was one of the academic titans whose presence on the faculty served as a beacon of light that drew the world to the University of Nigeria. He taught at the Department of English as well as carried out research at the Institute of African Studies.’’

    Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said Africa had lost a worthy son, who lived his life without losing his African identity.

    Obi said the late Achebe used his writing to free the oppressed.

    Obi said the late Achebe always defended the black race.

    Former governor of Anambra and now a Senator, Dr. Chris Ngige, said the late author was a determined person who kept writing on his beliefs, even on his wheelchair.

    The Night of Tributes also witnessed the readings of tributes from President Goodluck Jonathan and Prof. Wole Soyinka and John Pepper-Clark

    Soyinka and Clark , in a joint tribute, said: “For us, the loss of Chinua is, above all else, intensely personal. We have lost a brother, a colleague, a trailblazer and a doughty fighter. Of the pioneer quartet of contemporary Nigerian literature, two voices have been silenced — one, of the poet Christopher Okigbo, and now, the novelist Chinua Achebe.’’

    They said the late Achebe addressed the present generation of leaders, reminding them that Nigeria is a country of milk and honey but that enough of these were not flowing as they should.

    Jonathan said the late Achebe’s frank, truthful and fearless interventions in national affairs would be greatly missed.

    The president said: “While others may have disagreed with his views, most Nigerians never doubted his immense patriotism and sincere commitment to the building of a greater Nigeria.

    “Achebe wrote that we must aspire not to forget that the real solution to Nigeria’s development lies in a world where charity has become necessary,’’ he said.Jonathan observed that the late writer’s aspiration was to ensure that “we make things happen so that the dependence of the poor on charitable handouts would be a thing of the past’’.

    “These were the true evocative lines of Achebe that summed up his life and legacy at the pan-African level, the death of this great scholar and novelist is a loss to our country to which he brought honour.’’

    He said Nigeria and the world were celebrating and not mourning the late Achebe because he immortalised himself through his work, adding that he would continue to live.

    He is survived by four children and a wife Chinwe, a Professor of Education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

  • Mourners pay tributes to ‘a man of the people’

    Mourners pay tributes to ‘a man of the people’

    The remains of the late Prof. Chinualumogu Achebe arrived in his country home in Ogidi at 4:44pm yesterday. The body was brought in a motorcade after a lying-in-state at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    It was received by the traditional title holders in Ogidi led by Chief Gozie Okafor and President General of the Ogidi Town Union, Dr. Eric Obiakor. They took turns to pay their tributes to the late Achebe.

    The late Achebe was once a president general of the union and a titled chief.

    President Goodluck Jonathan is expected this morning to lead many dignitaries, including three other presidents to pay their last respects to the late icon.

    Senator Uche Chukwumerije , Bishop Alex Ibezim of Awka Anglican Diocese, members of the State Executive Council, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Obaze Oseleoka, Senator Mohammed Magoro , traditional rulers of 177 communities in Anambra led by Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi paid tributes to the late Achebe. Igwe Laz Ekwueme spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers.

    The president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) , Prof. Remi Raji, said he was short of words to describe the late literary icon.

    Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Prof Boniface Egboka described the late Achebe as an emblem of integrity. He said UNIZIK had lost a mentor and a pathfinder.

    The institution, he said, had instituted an annual lecture in honour of the late Achebe. He urged the state and federal governments to immortalise the late literary giant.

    Celebrated author Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike said the late Achebe became great not through any corrupt practices, not through politics or looting of public treasury but by dint of hard work. He praised those who participated in the funeral of the late icon, especially Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

    Leader of the Otu Suwakwa Igbo Initiative Prof. Pita Ejiofor, who spoke in Igbo, said the late Achebe had no equal, adding that there was none like him in this part of the world. He added that the late Achebe’s works shook the world. He encouraged other writers to emulate the late Achebe’s promotion of Igbo language and culture or their native language for sake of posterity.

    At the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, no fewer than 2,000 people gathered to see the body, including former Minister of Education Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, who wept. She said her father was fond of using the late Achebe as a symbol of true Igboness.

    Obi said: ”Achebe is the symbol of true African spirit. We have been here for hours in honour of Achebe showing our spirit because this is not a political gathering that you will say that people are paid for but a selfless gathering of people to honour one of their own.

    ”All we are doing today is praising the man we are gathered here for and we are having condolences from over 12 Presidents, showing how great our hero Achebe was because some others would die and nobody would notice.”

    Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Wellby, represented by Prof. Andrew Wheeller, said the late Achebe’s history of Africa changed his perception of Africa.

    Some mourners dressed in shirts bearing his portrait, while local chiefs wore traditional red caps common among Igbo.

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has deployed 250 officers and men to ensure free flow of traffic at today’s ceremony.

    FRSC Sector Commander in Anambra, Mr Uchenna Omeje, told NAN in Onitsha that the command had also mobilised 20 vehicles and a heavy duty towing truck for the funeral.

    Omeje said the commission would also station an ambulance in Ogidi to respond to any health emergency.

    He said: “So far, we have been able to go to Ogidi to map out the routes regarding where we need to close. There are some areas we need to close, there are areas we need to divert traffic and all those things. Then, of course, we are going to mobilise all our personnel even those in administrative section out tomorrow and of course on Friday to ensure that we have adequate presence on the road for ease of traffic flow. There is no cause for alarm; all the adjoining roads to Ogidi will be well manned.”

  • Achebe lying in state at Ekwueme Square

    Achebe lying in state at Ekwueme Square

  • Soldiers, 4,000 policemen for Achebe’s funeral

    Soldiers, 4,000 policemen for Achebe’s funeral

    Soldiers and policemen will provide security at the funeral of the late Prof. Chinua Achebe whose remains arrived in the country yesterday.

    The body was first flown to Abuja from Boston, United States where he died on March 21. It was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 6am. The late author’s wife, Christie, and children, Ike, Chidi, Chinelo and Nwando; in-laws and top dignitaries were at the airport to receive his body.

    The body was inside a dark brown casket covered with Nigerian flag. It was transferred from the aircraft into an Oxblood ambulance whose number plate carried the late author’s name: Chinua Achebe.

    The body was taken into the reception hall of the airport in a procession led by the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Bishop Owen Nwokolo. It was accompanied by family members; Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo; former Abia State Governor Ogbonnaya Onu and former Minister of State for Education Dr. Jerry Agada.

    The reception service began with hymns and prayers.

    In his sermon, Rev. Nwokolo said the late Achebe was a great man of dignity and excellence.

    He said: “I remember today Achebe’s legendary statement which says, ‘if a man returns from a long journey, and no one says welcome, he feels he has not arrived or nno.’ We are gathered to say nno to Achebe. He has come back, though dead but we know that his works keep him alive in our hearts. We are gathered to receive him because of what he has accomplished throughout the world.”

    He said the late Achebe would be remembered for his humility, patriotism and transparency, adding that he was a man who lived an exemplary life.

    Rev. Nwokolo said: “He was contented with what he had. He rejected the National Honours twice because he wanted the government to correct their corrupt system first. While others lived all their lives to corner wealth, Achebe lived an exemplary life. The world should learn from his legacies. He was wealthy but never allowed his wealth to mar his reputation.”

    Obi said the late Achebe lived the life he preached in his books. Although he was the only governor at the airport to receive the late Achebe’s body, he claimed he was representing other governors.

    Ike, the late Achebe’s first born, said he was astonished by the response he got from all over the world, noting that the support the family has received has been tremendous.

    He said: “I want to appreciate everyone that has worked tirelessly to ensure that the transition is peaceful. I thank you all.”

    The body was flown to Enugu from where it left for Anambra for other transitional activities and burial in Ogidi tomorrow.

    The body arrived at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and was received by a large crowd of people from Ogidi.

    The body, which arrived at about 12.36 p.m. aboard a private aircraft, Overland Nigeria, with registration number 5N-BPE was accompanied by the late Achebe’s wife and children.

    The body was received by the deceased’s elder brother, Chief Augustine Achebe, other family members, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Mr Amechi Okolo, some commissioners and different cultural troupes from Ogidi.

    Anambra Police’s spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka told The Nation that all the security arrangements for the burial had been concluded.

    Chukwuemeka said the police would work with other security agencies and the Army to ensure a hitch-free ceremony.

    “The level of preparation is very high; everything had been done to ensure that all the dignitaries that would be coming into Anambra State are safe and protected.

    “All the T’s had been crossed and all the I’s dotted, in terms of security arrangement towards the burial of Chinua Achebe. As long as they (dignitaries) want, they are safe; they should come around and pay their last respect to the departed professor. Nobody will disturb anybody; they (unruly youths in the Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha) have been contained.’’

    Briefing reporters yesterday in Awka, the Secretary to the State Government, Oseloka Obaze said the body of the late Achebe would be brought to the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka today.

    He said: “No shop will be closed; it is a voluntary thing, but we have invited all Ndi Anambra, civil servants, traders and schools to attend Achebe’s funeral. I can tell you without any equivocation that the governors of the Southeast have been supportive in the funeral arrangements and they will be there to receive Mr. President tomorrow during the funeral.”

    He said the ArchBishop of Canterbury would attend the funeral with about four other Heads of States, who would accompany President Goodluck Jonathan.

     

  • ‘Save Achebe’s library ‘

    ‘Save Achebe’s library ‘

    That Monday morning, Azubuike Ogbogu had just caught the muse. Bubbling with inspiration, he was determined to pencil down every scene of the movie he just conceived. So, his destination was not the nearby polytechnic or secondary schools but Prof. Chinua Achebe Library on the premises of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The librarian was already seated minding his own business. Ogbogu sat scribbling to his heart’s delight. He was so engrossed in his musing that he didn’t notice the frown on the face of the librarian. He didn’t also notice the librarian would occasionally raise his leg and examine it, shake his head, sigh and stare at nothing in particular. This happened at intervals.

    “I have a sore on my leg and most times, it hurts so much,” the librarian told the reporter.

    Still, Ogbogu wrote on. The script, set in Yorubaland, would tell the story of an orphan child of providence who conquered great feat against the odds. He had got the story from someone and was determined to expatiate on it. And to have an epic film story, Ogbogu bent over his paper scribbling on. He was not detered by the fact that there was not enough books in the place to help with his research. Having lived in the Southwest for sometime, he wrote from his head knowledge and from his consultation with friends from that Yorubaland.

    Given his limitation, he did not want any bit of the story to elude him so he wrote with deep concentration. So deep was his concentration that he did not even notice the frown on the face of young Ozemena Isaac as he searched the shelf for a science book to help his study for the day. Ozemena, 19, had come earlier with the mind of studying English but changed his mind when he did not find the books he was looking for. That was not his disappointment.

    “I was also disappointed when I could not find an Encyclopedia Brittanica. It was the same thing the other day when I came here to read. I had left school with the mind of finding the book that would help with my assignment but it was so unfortunate that they do not have it here,” he said.

    With a name like that of the widely-acclaimed writer attached to it, one would have thought that the place would be fully stocked with materials. But that is not the case. If you are out to savor diverse books by the author, you might be disappointed. You may have to settle for the torn and worn out copies of the 1998 edition of Things Fall Apart, which is the only book by the author in the library.

    Ozemena, who claimed to have read about 1,000 novels, including those of the late author whom he refers to as an “inspiration”, challenged the government to look into the state of the library, saying this may affect the reading culture of teeming youths and by extention the standard of education.

    He said: “The state of this library paints a picture that the government does not care about the educational progress of its citizens. This place has been here for over five years even before it was renamed after the writer and look at how it is. I expected that our government who claim to be educationally-oriented should be concerned with improving this facility which can help upgrade the standard of education in our society. With the name of Prof Chinua Achebe, who is my hero, attached to it, the government should not have allowed it to look like this.”

    Perhaps out of curiosity over the movement and questions by this reporter, Ogbogu finally raised his head from his book. Ogbogu, who is a lecturer and the Secretary-General of Ogidi Union of Nigeria, named the politicisation of the library as one of the factors that has led to its present state. “This library is patronised by many, including traders, within and outside the community, because more and more people are getting educated and they need a place like this to help their scholarship.

    This library is the wisest gesture that whoever thought wise to name it after the late author, but having named it after him, more should have been done to equip and make it standard. But it is unfortunate that it has been politicised.”

    According to the Librarian, Mr Edwin Chidozie, the library was established over eight years ago by Sir Uche Ezediora, the then interim local government chairmen. It was later renamed after the author to mark the 50 years anniversary of his epic novel, Things Fall Apart, during Mr. D.C. Ezeukwu’s administration.

    Evidently, the room housing the library is too small in size to house an edifice named after a man of Achebe’s status. With one shelf containing books on various subjects and a smaller one containing fiction and non-fiction books, one would have expected something larger; and of better standard.

    Interestingly, in spite of its condition the place has the nationalistic trappings of notable Nigerians and Africans such as Prof Wole Soyinka, the late Biafran Warlord, Chief Emeka Odumegu Ojukwu, Zaynab Alkali, Chief Charry Onwu, Karl Maier, Peter Abrahams, Ngugi Wa’Thiongi, among others. But the books are worn out and others with some pages missing. A broken table, chair and unused furniture litter the room. It is almost as if it also serves as a store room of sort.

    Reiterating Ogbogu’s words, Chidozie linked its decay to insensitivity of the authorities and political gimmickry.

    He said: “The books we have here are books that were those got during the time of Uche. Now the new management does not seem interested and has not been paying attention to the library that is why it is like this. They said this place is not recommended as a government property and that even the staff and board members are not government staff. We have not been paid salaries for five years.”

    Asked how he has been coping for five years and his inspiration. He said: “Achebe is my brother. I am proud of him and don’t want anything related to his name to spoil. In spite of everything, many people still come here to read because it is peaceful and quiet. You can see I have sore on my leg, but I am still coming. it is the love I have for my brother that is moving me. Since Achebe died, everybody have been making noise, please, let them look into our case; we are suffering. For the past five years, I have been living on the salary of my wife who is a teacher and the goodwill of people.,” he said.

    Council Chairman, Raphael Asha Nnabuife, said plans are in top gear to transform the state of the library. On its size, he said, in recognition of Achebe’s contributions to writing and scholarship within this environment and across the world, the council plans to relocate it to a more conducive place.

    He said: “We are working out something with the state government. As a matter of fact, we are trying to relocate the library because it is too close to the main road. We would bring it in and use the blocks for something else so that we can now bring in a lot of books.”

    On the staff welfare, he said, the council was working at resolving the issue. “The staff, i.e., those working in the library are paid. People that are claiming they are not being paid and they need to be paid are those who say they are members of the board. I can’t say anything about them because I came in and inherited people who say they are members of the board. But I cannot find anything in the register of this local government that says there are board members there. Some people came in there and we have written to the Ministry of Local Government to see how we can resolve and what can be paid to them,” he said.

    Ogidi community leaders decried the sorry state of the place, while alleging that idea of a library named after the author was first conceived by the community, adding that it was stalled due to conflict within the town’s hierarchy stet Ezegbo said: “Prior to its establishment we had written to him, telling him we were going to secure a good piece of land in a more central place in Ogidi to build a very big library and that he should be thinking of how to fortify it when built. We were already contributing money to build not just the present library at the council, which is political, because the then chairman of the council did it as political gimmicks. All these plans have been on ground before now even before Achebe’s accident; but for the some problem within the Ogidi hierarchy, it would have been achieved.”

  • Sites to behold in Achebe’s hometown

    Sites to behold in Achebe’s hometown

    The story is told of a young raconteur with a mind beyond his years, Chinualomogu Achebe, the award-winning writer whose first novel, Things Fall Apart, became a classic. Oftentimes, the tale of Ogidi, his ancestral home that gave birth to the legendary landmark of a novel, is not told. His achievements have not only put his homeland, located in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on the world map; his death is beaming the spotlight and bringing the world to Ogidi.

    On the interest his death has attracted, the National Vice President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mallam Denja Abdullahi, said: “No death of a Nigerian or an African in recent history has been so much mourned worldwide with effusive sincerity like that of Chinua Achebe.”

    The Ogidi community, even before his death, has already become a destination of sort for many well-wishers. But never has the town, located on the busy old road leading to bustling business town of Onitsha, witnessed the flow of human traffic like after the death of its son.

    As the late writer will be laid to Mother Earth tomorrow, several sites linked to diverse aspects of the writer in the town would be bursting with a large crowd of visitors. Unlike the neighbouring towns, Ogidi may not boast of possessing natural historical edifices with stories worth being named tourist centres such as caves or mountains. But many have argued that the late writer’s achievements set his homeland apart from others.

    Hence, as it is the case across the globe where the hometown of great writers are made tourist sites, like that of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pushkin, they posit that not only does Ogidi possess the potential of becoming a major tourist attraction but that sites in the town, representing diverse fragments of the author’s existence from cradle to the grave, should be officially declared tourist centres by the authorities. If the right action is taken, they opined that it can become as important as other great men of history.

    “It would be a great idea and if that can be achieved,” said the National President, Ikenga Ogidi Union, Amaechi Ekume, an architect. Although he did not say how the town intends to immortalise the author, he, however, argued that nothing done for Chinua by the government would be considered to be too great.

    “It would mean doing some justice to his name. He is worthy of whatever credit that is given to him. This is a world-acclaimed personality who many presidents have fallen over themselves to attract his recognition and attention; but we have him here as a Nigerian and we seem not to value him. It is like the proverbial saying that ‘we don’t value what we have until we lose it.”

    Chinua’s person ought to have attracted a lot of things from both federal and state governments to the town. But at least, now the government should think of immortalising by officially dedicating the sites linked to him in the town as tourist centres. It is unfortunate that our people do things for people when they are gone as if they do not deserve enjoying those things during their life time.”

    In years to come, if the argument is anything to go by, those places may become a pilgrimage of sort for many, particularly for writers, scholars, humanists, among others. And Ogidi may not have to wait for long before that becomes a reality.

    It would be hosting among other dignitaries writers across the globe that would be converging today to celebrate the author at the literary obsequies and wake-keep by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

    And as he is laid to rest tomorrow, the town and its sites would entertain a large crowd of visitors from across the globe.

     

    Achebe’s house

    The home of the late writer which would be his final resting place is one of such places that has already be. A new structure has been added to the house and the grave of the writer. With the right attention, many argued that the place can become a world-class mausoleum of sort. One of such persons is an elder statesman in the community, Chief Obi Ezegbo. He urged that like many of such projects, which are left abandoned, the advocacy for the immortalisation of the author should be given speedy attention by the authorities.

    He said: “If his house and other sites in the town are made state tourist centres, the world would applaud the country for taking a step in the right direction. I did English Literature. In my school days in the 50s, we did British History, which is Empire History. Nowadays, students of English Literature study African History which is what it should be. Chinua is the father, one who has brought about this change.

    “And so, if he was the force behind the changed pattern of thought at that time and the mode of writing in Nigeria, he should be celebrated by not only the Ogidi people, writers’ associations and Nigerians, the government should developed those places that represent different aspect of the author’s life as tourist sites. Some people in the House of Assembly have suggested that that the National Library be named after him as a mark of honour. It was debated partially; I don’t know what has become of it. But it is never too late. Because when this moment passes, it is forgotten, like that of Zik’s Mausoleum in Onitsha that started after his burial.”

     

    His father’s house

    Not faraway from his house is the Okwuofu Lodge, his father’s house. The milk colour one-storey building built by his elder brother, Augustine Achebe, an engineer, is on the same road as the author’s by the Ugwunwasike Roundabout in Ikenga-Ogidi. It is another place that is also a potential site. Part of the ceremony would be held here, it was learnt.

    Naming roads after Achebe

    He urged that Ugwunwasike Road where the author’s father’s house is located be renamed after him, saying: “Then, during the administration of Dr. Chris Ngige or Mbadinuju this road was renamed after Chinua; but I don’t think it has taken effect. It still bears the same name and nothing special to show and that is the road that passes in front of his house.”

     

    St Phillips Anglican Church

    The serene compound housing the ancient-looking building of St Phillips Anglican Church welcomes every visitor to the vicinity. Achebe was a parishioner while his father served the church as a catechist before tranfering to another parish outside Ogidi. It is sure to remind visitors of the church in the novel, Things Fall Apart. A newly-constructed massive edifice now stands behind the old church building, possibly to house the large crowd that will throng the place tomorrow. The church’s Vicar, Venerable Obi Ubaka, will be presiding over the church service and interment at the church premises.

     

    Central Primary School

    The primary school, which Achebe attended as a boy while the town still stands. It is called Central Primary School and shares the same compound with St Phillips Anglican Church. The beautifullly painted yellow classroom block is sure to attract visitors. But nothing would prepare them for the sorry sight of the dilapidated ceiling boards and broken chairs, calling for government attention.

     

    Professor Chinua Achebe Library

    The visit to Ogidi would not be complete without visiting Professor Chinua Achebe Library in the council. If the visitor is willing to ignore deplorable state of the library, perhaps the idea of finding one solid edifice bearing the the name of the author can be praised.

  • Anambra agog for Achebe’s funeral

    Anambra agog for Achebe’s funeral

    The Ogidi community near Onitsha in Anambra State has begun a comprehensive sanitation and demolition of shanties in preparation for the funeral of the late Prof Chinua Achebe.

    The Anambra Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA) and the Onitsha municipal council have embarked on the clearing of refuse dumps in the area.

    The government ordered the demolition of shanties and other objects that could obstruct the flow of traffic in Onitsha and its environs during the funeral.

    The waste management agency is placing more than 30 tonnes receptacles in strategic places.

    Idemili North Council is rehabilitating and re-painting buildings on the streets leading to the late Achebe’s compound in Ogidi.

    Commissioner for Environment Sebastian Okoye told NAN that efforts were being made to clean up the environment for the funeral in Awka since the body would be received at Ekwueme Park, Awka.

    “We are ready on it and if you go to Ekwueme Park, you will see how the place has been cleared and every place would be swept very properly. We are on it, there is no problem there.

    “On areas in Idemili, the local government is taking charge; and we planned it in such a way that we make sure that area is clean and cleaned-up along with ASWAMA – that is the arrangement we have made. There is no other arrangement other than that I just told you.”

    Okoye said his ministry would continue to improve the environment and would leave no stone unturned to achieve a clean environment.

    Governor Peter Obi yesterday directed the Idemili North Transition Committee Chairman, Raphael Nnabuife, to ensure that any indiscriminately parked vehicle on the road was removed.

    He pledged dequate security for the funeral. Already, there is restriction of movement into the late Achebe’s compound in Ogidi.

    A funeral service is scheduled for the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka tomorrow morning.

    A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Oselloka Obaze, said Achebe’s remains would be brought to Enugu from Abuja today. Governors of the five Southeast states are expected to receive the body at the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu.

    The statement said the body would be brought to Awka, tomorrow morning.

    A member of the Burial Committee, Sir Emeka Mbeledeogu, said all arrangements would be completed before the burial date.

    Archdeacon in charge of Ogidi Archdeaconry, Ven. Obi Ubaka, said all arrangements required at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church would be met to accord a befitting funeral to the late Achebe.

    On Sunday, Obi said the state was ready to accord Prof. Achebe a befitting burial.

    Obi spoke while inspecting the St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area, where the burial service will take place on Thursday.

    The governor had inspected the late Achebe’s country home and his final resting place, which was nearly completed and designed as a mini museum to house all Achebe’s works.

    Obi, who expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations, urged Nigerians to emulate the late literary icon, noting that the state government would not relent in honouring people like the late Achebe, who contributed positively to the advancement of the society.

    A group, Idemili North Concerned Citizens (IDNCC), urged Obi to up-grade the Prof Chinua Achebe’s library at the Idemili North council headquarters to a modern ICT library.

    It also called for the renaming of the Anambra State University after the late storyteller.

    In a communiqué by the Deputy Chairman of the group, Chief Chuks Igboanua, yesterday in Onitsha, the group said the late Achebe represented perfection in literature and scholarly learning, which it said, his existing library should depict.

    The statement reads: “That the Idemili North Concerned Citizens (IDNCC) do hereby support the motion raised in the Anambra State House of Assembly for the change of Anambra State University (ANSU) to Chinua Achebe University.

    “That Ugwu-Nwasike Road off Onitsha-Enugu Express Road crossing Round-about leading to Abatete be named Prof Chinua Achebe Road so as to immortalise his name.

    “We appeal to the Anambra State and Idemili North Local Government to please refurbish and up-grade the Prof Chinua Achebe’s Library at Ogidi to Modern ICT Library to at least reflect the actual purpose and intentions of Prof Chinua Achebe.’’

    The statement said the group would partner with the late Prof Chinua Achebe’s Burial Committee in the preparations and burial of the late literary icon.

    It called on Ndi-gbo to stand for the truth and unity of the country as the late Achebe had done and urged all Igbo sons and daughters to shun materialism, corruption, and evil acts.

     

  • UNESCO, Aliyu, Onu, others pay tributes to Achebe

    UNESCO, Aliyu, Onu, others pay tributes to Achebe

    THE late Prof. Chinua Achebe was the toast yesterday as speakers eulogised the master storyteller at a symposium in Abuja.

    He was hailed for his contributions to the development of African literature and nation building.

    It was at a symposium in his honour organised by the Chinua Achebe Transistional Committee at the International Conference Centre, Abuja with the theme: The Life, Time and Works of Chinua Achebe: Lessons for Nigeria.

    Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) President Prof. Remi Raji said the Federal Government should retrieve the original manuscript of Things Fall Apart.

    He said: “Since 2008, the original script of Things Fall Apart was said to be whisked away to Cameroon by a core scholar who found his way into Achebe’s place and was given this manuscript. Perhaps he died in transit or didn’t return the script deliberately it is not known yet. Nigerian government should make efforts to retrieve and properly situate it in Nigeria’s archival context to immortalise the great man.”

    While describing the late Achebe as a “sturdy voice in a problematic state”, Raji urged Igbo scholars to translate Things Fall Apart into Igbo language.

    United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Representative in Nigeria Mrs. Hazzana Aliduo said as part of its contribution to immortalise the literary legend, the body would work with ANA to translate the books of the sage into several other languages, including Igbo.

    Mrs. Aliduo said: “We believe in UNESCO that works of our giants like that of Prof. Chinua Achebe should be documented and translated into languages which can be easily accessible by others from other cultures.”

    Niger State Governor Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu, represented by his Commissioner for Information, Prof. Mohammed Yahaya Kuta, praised the late Achebe’s unwavering commitment to nation-building and the common man, especially his kinsmen – the Igbo people. While describing Achebe’s death as a monumental loss, he urged leaders to borrow a leaf from the exemplary life of the author.

    Kuta said: “While alive, Chinua Achebe fought, albeit subtly, for the enthronement of normative values and ethical conduct in the national polity. Achebe was to spend the rest of his time fighting the forces, which are too often given to enlightened self-interest and sentiments than the common good and ethical conduct. Nothing is more characteristic of Chinua Achebe’s life than the measured and self-righteous way he approached Nigeria’s national issues.”

    Kuta urged writers to follow in the late Achebe’s footsteps by standing for truth and justice.

    “Note that it is not yet Uhuru. Writers should pick up some of our development challenges,” he said.

    Former Abia State Governor Ogbonnaya Onu said the late Achebe was a politician-activist who reeled in pain over the state of the nation, adding that the author believed Nigeria’s potential was under-explored.

    Award-winning poet Tanure Ojaide said Achebe did not need a foreign body, such as the Swedish Academy of Nobel Prize for Literature, to affirm his excellence in Africa.

    He said: “Things Fall Apart was written to chastise the imperialists, so they may not have been happy with him.”

     

  • Jonathan: Achebe a man of justice

    Jonathan: Achebe a man of justice

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday praised the late Prof. Chinua Achebe for his consistency in promoting justice.

    He spoke at a Night of Tributes held in honour of the late author of Things Fall Apart at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, urged Nigerians to emulate the exemplary life of the late Achebe, who, he said, “died an honourable man”.

    He said the late Achebe was committed to building a better Nigeria. While praising the late author’s forthrightness, he noted that icons like the late Achebe were rare to come by.

    He said: “Achebe fulfilled his earthly mission and would be remembered for his frank, truthful and fearless interventions in national affairs. As we continue to strive to achieve the dream which Achebe shared with us as we build a new Nigeria. Good night Professor Achebe. We love you.”

    Former Senate President Ken Nnamani said the late Achebe was a “great ambassador of Nigeria to Africa and the world”, saying the late Achebe contributed to the improvement of Nigeria’s image abroad.

    The late literary giant, he said, was a courageous activist who spoke against injustice, citing the alleged abduction of former Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige.

    “With people like Achebe, we won’t make mistakes. As long as we continue to live the preaching of Achebe, we would continue to immortalise his name,” he said.

    Ngige said the late Achebe was “a man of determination”. Citing the late Achebe’s ability to rise above physical challenges owing to his accident, he urged Nigerians to emulate his determination to change his world for Nigeria to develop.

    He said: “Let us get ourselves determined to put our country right. If Chinua Achebe could be determined and wrote in spite of his being on wheelchair, we have no excuse. I don’t think he is dead, but has immortalised himself.”

    House of Representative member, Prof Chude Uwazurike, said the late Achebe was as committed to the country.

    United States-based scholar Prof Michael Telwell said the late Achebe was a cultural activist who shaped the African consciousness, adding that his writing in literature elevated his culture and lifted his people.

    Former Minister of State for Education Dr. Jerry Agada said the late Achebe would forever be remembered for his contributions to the world of literature.

     

  • Dancing on Achebe’s grave?

    Dancing on Achebe’s grave?

    THe recent call on the Federal Government by the National Assembly to give the late world-acclaimed writer, Professor Chinua Achebe full post humous honours is definitely a controversial one.

    Since the call, some Nigerians have been accusing the government of planning to mock the writer in death by forcing honours he rejected while alive on him simply because he is now unable to voice his rejection. It would be recalled that the late author on two occasions turned down national honours offered him by the federal government citing bad governance as his reason.

    So why are they planning to honour him now when the very things he complained about are still unchanged. It is this same government that gave him the national honours he rejected while alive. I just hope they are not out to mock him in death,” a close associate of the late writer lamented.

    The late literary icon is to be buried in a mauseleum being built in his compound at Ogidi in Idemili North Council Area of Anambra State.