BY DOTUN IBIWOYE, SUZAN EDEH & CHINENYE OZOR

Nigerians have continued to pour encomiums on the late literary giant, Professor Chinue Achebe, who died in Boston, United States of America, USA, last Thursday.

Among those who commiserated with the Achebe family include Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, Dr Uche Azikiwe, wife of the former President of Nigeria and Owelle of Onitsha, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Ohanaeze, South Africa, former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chris Ngige, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Ohanaeze South Africa, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, UNN, Professor Barth Okolo, Director Institute of Africa Studies, UNN, Prof. Sam Onuigbo and Peter Nwangwu among others.

Orji who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue said he received the news of Achebe’s death with shock.

Chief Orji said “Ndigbo has lost a literary icon, a legend of all times and a hero whose novels remain a reference point in and outside the country”.

Governor Orji who lamented the exit of Prof. Achebe maintained that he was yet to come to terms with the “sudden demise of the statesman of international repute”.

The governor, however, took consolation that Prof Achebe had “impacted positively on the lives of people through his literary works”.

According to Orji, Prof Achebe would be remembered for always standing up for Ndigbo.

A great loss to Africa —Azikiwe’s wife
Dr Azikiwe described Achebe’s death as a great loss to the Africa continent,  explaining that “his integrity made him symbol of pride for Nigeria and Ndigbo in particular. “I regret that Achebe died without the Nobel laureate award; I demand that the award be given to him posthumously.’’

Also, Senator Ngige said, “Chinualumogu Chinua Achebe, was a literary giant with a special style that captures events in a classical natural way, with the environment being the normal Nigerian rural setting or city.

Late Prof Chinua Achebe

He was the numero uno amongst his peers in the literary world, having his flagship novel ‘Things fall apart’ ranking one of the most read all over the world, having sold a record 12 million copies and having been translated into more than 50 foreign languages. My senatorial district, Anambra State and Nigeria have lost one of her activist, literary prince, welfarist and worthy ambassador. Ichie Ugonabo’s demise at this point of our nations life, obviously marks a depletion among the crop of activist writers and poets. Fare thee well, Chinualumogu.’’

The Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze South Africa, Mr. Afan Damian Onwuanyi said the late Chinua Achebe put Nigeria in the literary map of the world.

Onwuanyi said: “Every Igbo man and Nigerian should be crying for the death of Prof. Achebe who kept Nigerian flag flying wherever he was until his death and we will not forget him in a hurry. It is unfortunate that we have yet lost another illustrious son after the demise of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and most recently, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.”

A great blow to the literay world—Yuguda
Similarly, Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda described the death of Professor Chinua Achebe as “great blow to the literary world”.  According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ishola Adeyemi, Yuguda said  Achebe’s death coming at a time when his elderly advice and counsel were most needed to reshape the literary and cultural aspect of the country was painful.

Yuguda, however, said the late literary guru lived a life of honesty worthy of emulation, pointing out that his name would remain ever green in the annals of history considering that he used his literary prowess to shape the lives of many.

The governor recalled reading Achebe’s books including, “Things Fall Apart,” saying that great lessons of life were learnt by those who read such literary works. His literary works ranked amongst the best not only in Nigeria and Africa but in the whole world. He was an icon that will be celebrated again and again,” he added.

Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Simeon Itodo has described the death of Professor Chinua Achebe as a loss to Africa and the world.  Itodo in his condolence said the late literary giant acquitted himself well in his chosen carrier, adding that his books would continue to make indelible marks in the minds of millions of people yet unborn.

Senator Chukwumerije described the death of Acebe as the end of an era in Nigerian history. He said: “It is the end of an era of popularity; undiluted truth. Achebe was the greatest thinker produced by Nigeria. The greatest patriot and the greatest de-detribalized, idealistic Nigeria citizen. We lost his intellectual innovations.’’

UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof Okolo, said “I appreciate that at 83 years, Prof Chinua Achebe has paid his dues. For the value UNN has for him, Prof. Achebe was the face of the university’s department of African Studies. Nigeria must advance his belief in excellence and intellectualism.

Prof Achebe believed in merit. We are mourning and have to come to terms with his death before talking of immortalizing him at the university. Prof. Achebe has concluded his stiffest earthly assignment, what more could he desire on earth.”

The Director Institute of Africa Studies, UNN, Prof. Onuigbo, said the university had “missed one of the pioneer directors of the institute who left indelible footprints on the development of the institute. It is painful that this time when the institute is planning its golden jubilee, the research fellow and former director of the institute has died. The institute will definitely put up something in remembrance of the literal icon.’’

Professor Nwangwu of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, described Achebe as a man who left a legacy of truth and selflessness. He also stated that Achebe wanted a country that is a level-playing field for all, free from corruption, bribery and nepotism.

“The world lost a pre-eminent writer. His death was carried extensively by every major newspaper in the world, and discussed in virtually every country of the world. Nigeria lost a potent national conscience. The man not only told Nigerian Presidents that they were not doing well, twice he rejected the second highest national honour award to protest bad leadership in Nigeria. Bad and selfish leadership grieved his heart greatly because he loved his nation, and was saddened greatly by the unnecessary suffering of the ordinary citizens of Nigerians”.

I have monitored the heart-felt and well-meaning expression of sympathy over his death by the leadership in Nigeria, including the President, Senate President, most state governors and several politicians. Achebe will tell them that he needs selfless leadership, and doing the right thing for the people of Nigeria, more than their needless sympathy for his death.

“The legacy that Achebe lived and died for was truth and selflessness, a country that has a level-playing field for all, free from corruption, bribery and nepotism. If we love or believe in Achebe, if we were touched by his life and death, then lets pursue and implement his legacy of truth and selflessness. Let’s create a nation of sane and civilized people where decency and honour is embraced and celebrated as a national life-style at every level in society.”