Nigerians yesterday poured encomiums on the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe as the Anambra State government staged the 'Celebration of Life' ceremony in his honour in a burial programme held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital.
The ceremony was marked by speeches delivered respectively by the state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, the Senate President, David Mark and other dignitaries, who poured encomiums on the late literary giant and the worthy and exemplary life he lived.
The Celebration of Life ceremony which was attended by dignitaries drawn from within and outside Nigeria was made to usher in the burial of Achebe in his Ikenga, Ogidi compound yesterday.
(http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Members-of-Achebe%E2%80%99s-family..jpg) (http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Members-of-Achebe%E2%80%99s-family..jpg) Members of Achebe's family.
Immediately the body of Achebe, who died in Boston, United States of America on March 21, 2013 at the age of 82, was brought in to the grand arena, accompanied by Governor Obi and key family members, the ceremony started with a prayer for God to have mercy on his soul.
Once the preliminary formalities were completed, it was time for speech making by key dignitaries present.
First to speak was Prof. Vincent Ike, a close associate of the late icon. He described Achebe as "Eagle that patched on an Iroko tree," while thanking the state government for honouring Achebe with the first class burial.
(http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Cross-section-of-dignitaries.jpg) (http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Cross-section-of-dignitaries.jpg) Cross section of dignitaries
Ike regretted that all the great world class writers in Nigeria were all getting dead and gone.
Senate President, David Mark, who was represented by the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ndoma Egba, in his speech, described Achebe's life as exemplary and worthy of emulation.
He stated that with the death of Achebe, that Anambra State in particular, and Nigeria in general have lost a gem, a very great nationalist and a scholar.
President-General of the Anambra Association of Town Unions, Dr Innocent Onwubuya, who spoke on behalf of the town union presidents, thanked God for giving Anambra somebody like Achebe, a man he said was difficult to be found anywhere again.
Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Boniface Egboka, speaking for the academic community praised Achebe, saying that he was a great man, father of African literature, a man whose works had made great impressions worldwide.
He said Achebe was a mentor, a man of integrity, bold and fearless.
He announced that the university will immortalise him with an annual lecture, Chinua Achebe Annual Lecture to be held in the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the state House of Assembly, the Speaker, Hon. Chinwe Nwaebili, announced that the House has passed a resolution urging the state government to rename one of the higher institutions owned by it in honour of Achebe.
(http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Dr.-Chris-Ngige-and-Hon.-Emeke-Nwogbo..jpg) (http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Dr.-Chris-Ngige-and-Hon.-Emeke-Nwogbo..jpg) Dr. Chris Ngige and Hon. Emeke Nwogbo.
The last person who spoke was Governor Obi. He thanked all the dignitaries and those who attended the ceremony for honouring Achebe with a big farewell ceremony.
Obi who said Achebe showed everybody the path to good and exemplary life, described Achebe's death as a big blow.
He said it is important that people should emulate the worthy life Achebe lived; stressing that so far he has received condolence messages from the Presidents of 12 countries.
National Mirror