Anambra State Immortalises Chinua Achebe With Giant Status

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Thirteen years after his passing, the Government of Anambra State, on Saturday, honoured literary icon Prof Chinua Achebe with the unveiling of his statue by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

According to Professor Soludo, the status erected at the Ugwunwasike Roundabout in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Council, the home town of one of the acclaimed giants of the literary world, is part of the State’s modest way of celebrating the great novelist.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the  Governor described Achebe as a “global brand ,and symbol of excellence, whose immense and invaluable contributions to  literature have continued to shape literary and general intellectual discourse, as well as inspire generations of scholars.

He vowed to continue to pursue initiatives that aim to preserve ,and promote the ideals and literary legacies left behind by the author of the great work, “Things Fall Apart”.

The Anambra State Governor also promised that his administration will always support and market programmes and policies that have the potential to churn out more Achebes in the society.

“Achebe represents excellence and remains one of the world’s greatest literary figures. We will continue to support initiatives that inspire the emergence of more Achebes in Idemili North, Anambra state, and Nigeria generally”, Soludo stated

Besides preserving the legacies of the literary giant, Governor Soludo emphasized that the monument is expected to promote the cultural heritage and tourism potential of Ogidi town as well as add value to  its economy, and that of the State.

Professor Achebe who passed on in Boston, State of Massachusetts ,United States of America, USA, on March 21, 2013, was interred in his home town of Ogidi on May 23, 2013.

Before his death, a near fatal vehicle accident in Nigeria, had confined him to the wheelchair for some years.