The departure of High Chief Chinua Achebe (Ugo belu n'oji – The Eagle on the Iroko) is painful to many Nigerians and peoples all over the world. For the Ogidi nation, it is particularly agonizing. Our loss is immeasurable. As we weep, the cry has been: can we ever replace this man? The "Eagle on the Iroko" has fluttered its fatigued wide wings and flown away; and disappeared. The man that put Ogidi on the world map of literature and culture has joined his ancestors.
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Ogidi is an Igbo nation with a rich well-documented history dating back approximately one half of a millennium. The town is well known in and around Anambra State. It is town of approximately 200,000 proud and productive people; currently mostly Christians but with rich and valuable vestiges of traditional religion. It is the headquarters of the Idemili North Local Government area; with neighboring towns of Nkpor, Oze, Obosi, Umuoji, Ogbunike, Umunachi, Umudioka and Abatete. Mention Ogidi, and what comes to mind to most people in the state is the famous yearly Nwafor Festival.
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But google Ogidi and the name Chinua Achebe pops up with it. It is Chinua Achebe that is now most associated with Ogidi, and for that Ogidi Inwele indigenes owe incalculable gratitude to their illustrious son, now departed.
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Late Prof Chinua Achebe Chinua Achebe has gone to commune with Ezechuamagha the progenitor of the Ogidi nation. Oral history tells us that Ezechuamagha is the father of Inwele; and Inwele is the father of Ogidi.
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This historical teaching was embraced and given resonance by Chinua Achebe, the historian and Chinua Achebe the anthropologist.
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In Ogidi culture, and indeed Igbo culture, the belief is that famous people are demigods; demigods are deified mortal and do not die, they merely return to their ancestors.
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In 1985 when Igwe Amobi III of Ogidi joined his ancestors, one tribute that stood out prominently was that written by Chinua Achebe. Chinua Achebe, in the characteristic style of the master wordsmith himself, penned a glowing tribute to Igwe Amobi III at Igwe's funeral in 1985. The "Eagle on the Iroko" prayed and dedicated the soul of the departed Ogidi ruler to Ezechumagha.
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Now another colossus has departed, it is our turn to do the same for Professor Chinua Achebe. We send our fervent supplications to our great progenitor to receive Chief Chinua Achebe listen to him, guide and protect him.