Sagay, Ikuforiji, Authors extol Achebe’s virtues

Enugu – Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has called for the sustenance of the legacies of the late renowned author, Prof. Chinua Achebe, who died at 82.

This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Chukwudi Achife, in Enugu on Saturday.

Chime described Achebe as a renowned and celebrated literary icon whose works and efforts toward the advancement of the human race would continue to be acknowledged and respected.

The governor called on stakeholders, writers to advance his legacies, adding: “Achebe’s death is a huge loss to mankind, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

“ Nigeria in particular will miss a great patriot, worthy ambassador and a role model for many generations,’’ he said.

Chime extended his condolence to the President Goodluck Jonathan, the government and people of Anambra as well as the family of the deceased.

Sagay, Ikuforiji, Authors extol Achebe’s virtues

Also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Itse Sagay, has described the death of the literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, as “one vacuum that will be difficult to replace.”

Sagay made this known in an interview  in Lagos on Saturday he described Achebe as an ingenious writer and giant in the literary field.

He noted that Achebe’s book, “Things Fall Apart”, lent credence to, and set the pace for other viable literary works in the country and beyond.

“Achebe established a great reputation for himself, from which Nigeria benefited greatly. His literary works will be greatly missed, especially his prose writings.

“It is indeed a historical loss and he is one genius that Nigeria will never forget in a hurry,” Sagay said.

In his reaction, Author of the book, “How Africa Underdeveloped Africans”, Mr Joshua Agbo, said that the exit of Achebe would create a huge gap in African prose work.

Agbo said that Achebe, one of the founding fathers of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), affected the lives of his fellow mankind positively.

“He placed Nigeria on the global map and literary landscape. His book, `There Was a Country’, has begun to elicit tremendous reactions.

“His death, is indeed, painful, but what is most important is that he was able to impart the human race with his literary works,’’ Agbo said.

Also, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, condoled with Nigerians on the demise of Achebe and Prophet Timothy Obadare, the second commander of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).

The speaker said Achebe’s novels had also remained an avenue for teaching young Africans of the vibrant cultures before the coming of the colonial masters to the continent of Africa.  (NAN)