THE death of literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, appears to have offered the Ndigbo another opportunity to come together following a resolution by the governments of the zone to put heads together with a view to giving him a befitting burial, anytime the date was announced.
Reports pieced together indicate that although Achebe was never a politician, political office holders in the zone, including members of the National Assembly, would rally forces to give the literary guru an iconic burial given his contributions to the promotion of Igbo culture through many of his literary works.
The governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, who is currently outside Nigeria, is said to have mooted the idea during his chat with some of his close friends from the zone in the National Assembly, and on the grounds that Achebe’s burial would offer another scope for Igbo politicians to speak with one voice again on national issues.
More Nigerians mourn Achebe
His death shocking - Amaechi
RIVERS State governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Rt Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed shock and sadness over the passing of renowned writer, Professor Chinua Achebe.
Amaechi, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr David Iyofor, described Achebe as one of Nigeria and Africa’s finest literary giants whose works spoke volumes.
Amaechi recalled his fond memories of Achebe, including his play, A Man of the People, which is the governor’s favourite work by the writer.
“I love and have read A Man of the People over and over again, mostly because of its portrayal of leadership as it is in Africa. I have also commissioned that a movie be made out of it for the benefit of more people, especially our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow. It is such a shock to me that our dearly beloved Achebe, the man who gave us several notable works of literature is gone.”
His death, a re-awakening to mortality - Oduah
NIGERIA’S Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has described the death of the literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe, as a re-awakening to mortality for us all.
Oduah, who said the death of Achebe came to her as a rude shock, however, added that unlike other mortals the late Achebe attained some immortality of sorts through his ground-breaking literary prowess.
“Though dead in body and flesh, Professor Achebe lives forever not only in our hearts and minds, but also in the literary sub-conscious of the entire world which read one piece from the iconic writer, and waited in bated breath for the next. His last epistle There was a Country is the crowning of a glowing career in Arts and Literature that will continue to captivate and inspire generations the world over.
“By his passing, Nigeria has lost a consummate patriot. To the world, a literary colossus has fallen. But Nigeria and the world cannot be crestfallen by his death. His life and works remain not only a source of pride to all,but also a poignant indicator of the fertility of the human imagination.
Through his works of fiction, Achebe painted indelible portraits of the precariousness of the human existence, and brought meaning and reality to our daily lives.
He lived what he preached - Tinubu
Former governor of Lagos State and national leader, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday, described the death of Achebe as the loss of yet another national treasure who died unfulfilled in his dream to see a better governed, fully demorcratic and united Nigeria.
“Achebe’s words were like the arrows of God penetrating the fortresses of our leaders and striking their hearts to do good, unfortunately not many hearkened, and that is why we remain stuck as a people and a country”.
Tinubu said notwithstanding his exploits on the literary stage and his world acclaimed status, Achebe had one regret and that was the failure of successive Nigerian leadership to birth a new country and liberate Nigerians from abject poverty and want. “Chinua Achebe lived an exemplary life of sacrifice and excellence. He was a critique-general who through his writings offered lucid suggestions and advice on how Nigeria’s problems can be tackled. We are able to glean from his writings a burning desire for change and a crushing devotion to the emancipation of the larger society”.
According to Tinubu, Achebe’s writings would stand the test of time, but more importantly, his books, essays and commentaries would stand as ringing indictments to all the Nigerian leaders, nay Africa, who failed to liberate their people from the shackles of want, poverty and unfreedom.
The former governor said Nigeria had a lot to offer, not just the world but her citizens, but unfortunately, “the best, the brightest and selfless amongst us are often shoved aside. Our loss has been the gain of other countries.
“The world recognised and elevated him for the brilliance of his writings and his seminal interventions, while the Nigerian government treated him like an irritant and one of the pesky activists. We may do more to immortalise Achebe, but he is already immortalised through his writings,” he said.
Tinubu recalled how Achebe’s life and writings touched many and mentored several. “In my personal encounters with him, his simplicity, his forthrightness and his engaging personality struck me. Achebe and his writings were one and the same. He lived what he preached.
Though he elicits different reactions from different people, Achebe’s love for his people and his patriotism was unquestionable. His devotion to creating a better society was resolute”.
Finally, Tinubu said Nigeria must listen and recognize our best minds and not waste them. Achebe was primus inter pares, a social crusader, the conscience of our nation and we celebrate him rather than mourn him.
Achebe was a beacon of light that drew people to UNN
Management, staff and students of the University of Nigeria have described the death of Professor Achebe as a loss to the academic world.
“Professor Achebe was one of the academic titans whose presence in the university served as a beacon of light that drew the world to UNN. He taught in the Department of English as well as carried out researches at the Institute of African Studies.
After the epochal Things Fall Apart that gave a voice to African literature and its people, Achebe continued his pioneering endeavours with the founding of Okike, a foremost journal of African literature that birthed the careers of many distinguished writers. His work in leading researches into the cultures of the Igbo and various groups in the Institute of African Studies further cemented the reputation of the University of Nigeria as a centre of liberal learning in the best traditions.
Achebe in his work gave to the language, culture and people of Igbo land a universality that positioned it as one of the major ethnic groups of human civilisation.
The University of Nigeria commiserates with his family, the global literary and academic communities and all mankind on the loss of our distinguished former faculty member. Flags in the university will fly at half-mast while UNN will unfold a programme to honour Achebe and would be privileged to partake in all activities aimed at honouring this truly distinguished giant and contributor to the human race.
Nigeria has lost a global literary and cultural icon - NLC
THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said, on Saturday, that in the death of Chinua Achebe, Nigeria had lost a global literary and cultural icon, a foremost nationalist and father of African literature.
In a statement signed by the NLC acting president, Comrade Promise Adewusi, the congress described Chinua Achebe as a colossus who bestrode the literary world, and set the tone and direction of African literature, capturing the total African experience from pre-colonial and colonial periods through decolonisation and its discontents to national disillusionment and alienation.
The NLC said; “Although better known for his novels, Achebe was an unusual master craftsman who distinguished himself in all the genres of literature. He was an essayist, poet, playwright and critic who was unrelenting in his criticism against injustice, oppression, corruption and other vices in the society. He captivated the world with his simple narrative as well as inspired generations of African writers who took pride in their cultures.”
“Achebe was a principled man and an unignorable moral force known for his quiet rebuke of bad governance through his gestures. He did not speak often but whenever he did, it resonated through the nation. He was a critic who offered prescriptions for national rebirth, firmly holding accountable poor leadership as the genesis of Nigeria’s problems.
