On March 22nd this year 2013, the World lost one of its greatest story–tellers and Africa one of her most strident voices for liberation, freedom and equality. Chinua Achebe known in childhood years as Albert Chinualumogu Achebe of Nigeria is no more. We are here at the invitation of the African Leadership Institute USA and Wright State University, to celebrate his life and pay tribute to the enormity of Chinua Achebe’s accomplishments.

It would have been difficult if the burial of Chinua Achebe had passed without any controversy.

Apart from the fact that the dust his autobiography, There was a Country raised was yet to settle, the announcement of his death started another round of controversy.

STILL basking in the euphoria of the success of the burial of the literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, the Anambra State government yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan and his Ghanaian counterpart, Dr. John Mahama and other people from all over the world for according the great writer a befitting burial.

Eulogies and tributes have continued to trail the death and burial of literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe. Eminent personalities, heads of governments, his literary community, the academia, socio-cultural groups, to mention a few, have had glowing things to say about this popular author at different fora and in the media.

Professor Chinua Achebe’s pioneer books; “Things Fall Apart” and “Arrow of God”, are the most libelous books ever written against an indigenous Nigerian Community. I speak of Abam Community and no one needs be astonished. For decades Chinua Achebe through his books has been dehumanizing Abam people, portraying them as savages, cannibals, war mongers and plunderers. He denies them history of any form of civilization. It is precisely this image of Abam in Chinua Achebe ‘s books that made the Biafran authorities to make Abam community the first port of call for recruitment into their rag-tag army.