From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka and DOM EKPUNOBI, Onitsha
Awka, the Anambra State capital, yesterday stood still as the remains of the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe arrived in his state to a resounding reception by the government and people of the state. Government business was also virtually grounded as civil servants obeyed the directive of the government to be present and honour the late icon. They were seen at the venue signing attendance register to confirm their presence and avert any possible reprimand.
The body which was carried in a brown casket accompanied by his widow, Prof. Christy Achebe and four children arrived the Amansea border by 12:35pm where it was received by the state Governor, Peter Obi and the senator representing his Senatorial zone, Anambra Central, Dr. Chris Ngige, with other dignitaries and community leaders. As early as 7am, people from all walks of life had started trooping into the Amansea boundary reception venue and Alex Ekwueme Square arena for the Anambra State farewell ceremony.
Although, the body arrived Ekwueme at 1pm, three hours behind schedule, the crowd comprising royal fathers, clergymen, national and state legislators, and foreigners waited calmly. On arrival at Ekwueme Square, Governor Obi, Senator Ngige and the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rt Rev. Alex Ibezim and his Catholic counterpart, Bishop Ezeokafor received the body for lying in state. In his short prayers to declare the ceremony open, Bishop Ibezim noted that with the demise of Prof. Achebe, things had really fallen apart and the people were no longer at ease.
He prayed, saying: "On a day like this, we are not asking for the arrow of God but we ask for the mercy of God". The Bishop further prayed that God should have mercy on Achebe's family, Anambra State and Nigeria and to raise many Achebe's in Nigeria, so that the country would grow better morally and in godliness. The Senate was represented by three senators, Senators Ngige, Udoma Egba, Uche Chukwumerije who took a temporal discharge from the hospital to be in the delegation and retired General Mohammed Magoro.
In their tribute, read by the leader of the delegation, Senator Udoma Egba, the Senate stated that "only the mortal remains of Chinua Achebe can die, but Chinua Achebe lives and lives forever". The senators further said: "The late Prof. Achebe brought fame and prestige to Nigeria and to all humanity through his literary talent and works". He was also a social critic and activist, poet, marketing Nigeria and African culture to several other countries and continents. "Prof. Achebe's life has been an exemplary and worthy of emulation.
His demise was a monumental loss to his family, the people of Anambra State, Nigeria, Africa and the entire world." In his short speech, Governor Obi extolled the virtues of Prof. Achebe whom he said, must have secured a place in heaven by the way he lived his life. He said that the crowd and the way they conducted themselves and stayed the length of time was another testimony to the importance they attached to the late icon. Obi announced that presidents of three countries including President Goodluck Jonathan were being expected at the burial today in Ogidi.
Former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige noted that the late Prof. Achebe stood for the truth and fought inhumanity and injustice. He disclosed that Achebe was the only Anambrarian that stood up and condemned the burning of Anambra State property by a cabal in 2004, adding that the late icon rejected Federal Government's honour because the government was hobnobbing with the perpetrators of the heinous crime in the state. The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Boniface Egboka, in his tribute extolled the literary prowess of Achebe, describing him as both an academic and politician.
He called on the Federal Government to immortalize him by naming one of the universities in the country after him. Blending the tributes with folk song, Professor of Music and traditional ruler of Oko Community, Igwe Prof. Laz Ekwueme described Prof. Achebe as an Iroko whose demise has left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill. In an emotion-laden speech, which culminated in shedding of tears, former minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili described Prof. Achebe as the character of the true Igboman.
She said, "There are those who when they died, words are not enough to describe them. Prof. Achebe was the character of true Igbo person. He was not a man of things, but a man of values. She said that the death of the late icon should bring back in Ndigbo those characters they were known for including honesty, integrity and hatred for corruption.
Justice Peter Umeadi (Chief Judge, Anambra State)
It is a shame that Achebe is no more but we are proud of him as a black man, as an African because he plied his trade, I will say in a foreign language and for him to have been able to express himself the way he did in the white man's language shows that we have a lot and more to offer.
The lesson of Chinua Achebe goes to clarity of expression, the Bible says from the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks. If you are able to be clear in what you say, it means that your thought process is clear and if I read what you say and it make sense to me, then it is the tool for development.
What Chinua Achebe represents could be replicated in physical areas, like physical development. That is the lesson we must all learn from him, is not about the literary aspect, it is about the conception and rendering of that conception and making it understandable to all and Sundry who could replicate it to our physical environment which is dear to me.
Igwe Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike
Intellectually, Achebe received Nigeria's highest national prize for intellectual and academic achievement, that is the Nigeria Order of Merit (NOM). As a literary icon, he was celebrated as Eagle on Iroko on his 60th birthday at University of Nigeria Nsukka before my very eyes.
He received honorary doctorate degree from at least 30 universities worldwide along with numerous other academics. Not through godfatherism, not through using the national, not through any corrupt practice but by diligently maximizing his God-given talent. He stood out as a perfect gentleman of honour and transparent integrity.
A motor vehicle accident in 1990 confined Achebe to the wheel chair for the rest of his life. Lesser mortals could have thrown in the towel but Chinua held from the wheelchair.
Brother S.C. Ojiakor – former PG, Nkpor and Chairman Idemili P.G's
Achebe's death has so badly affected everybody. He was a light through which we reach the world. There is plan to erect his monument somewhere in Ogidi.
Prof. Boniface Egboka – Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikwe University
Achebe was my mentor, a model and exemplary academic. He was an epitome of Igboism, an icon of intellectualism, a great Biafran and later Nigerian. He was a great play writer who means many things to many people. The Nobel Laureate Committee should look into their record and give him a post-humous award.
I am an Achebelogist. I believe in his ideology. I have used his writeups in my writing and many writers have emulated him. They should create an institution after him.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University has instituted Chinua Achebe annual lecture series to immortalize him and it will attract lecturers from across the globe.
Dr. Innocent Onwubuya – President Anambra State Association of Town Unions.
I feel completely fulfilled about the honour being done to the late icon in death. It is good that the whole world has recognized the achievements of Prof Achebe especially in the literary arena.
He was a literary grant, and a father of African literature. He was respected and is now being honoured. I am convinced that our governments know what to do to immortalize him. It is good that both the Senate, House of Representatives and the Anambra House of Assembly have debated and called on the governments to do something to immortalize the icon.
The lesson Prof. Achebe has taught us is that everybody should do whatever he is doing very well. People should emulate him.
Prof. Fidelis Okafor
Prof Achebe was a man of values, a man of character who influenced the world with his literary works. He will remain in the minds of people because his books are legacies that will live far beyond many generations. His death is a great loss to Anambra people, Nigeria and the world at large.
Prof. Pita Ejiofor – Former Vice Chancellor, Anambra state University, Awka.
It is noteworthy that Prof Achebe became the 25th person whose literature was translated into many languages of the world. His work was translated into 60 languages of the world. Prof Achebe lectured in many parts of the world. Various Universities gave him awards and when Nigeria offered him an award, he rejected it twice. He was outstanding in hardwork, sincerity, fight against evil and injustice. It will not be easy to find another Achebe because the whites have not replaced Shakespear.
Prof. Isaac Adewole, V.C University of Ibadan
Although this will look like a time to sing the dirge. Our cultural values which Achebe did his best to dignify in his eventful and outstanding literary career, make it imperative that we celebrate him. He lived a fruitful life and joined his forebears with all the requirements conditional to attaining the enviable status of an ancestor. Indeed he is the foremost ancestor of modern African literatures.
Besides, he continues to live forever not only in our minds but in his works.
Via: Sun News Online