It was a big shock to many when the news came that renowned novelist and ceberated author of Things Fall Apart, Prof. Chinua Achebe, was dead.
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This was so as the controversy generated by his autobiography, 'There Was a Country', was still fresh. The book had narrated Achebe's experience in the Biafran war, accusing some principal actors of genocide against Igbo people.
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Then, last December, Achebe was at his colloquium which hosted Lagos State governor, Mr. Raji Fashola, as keynote speaker. There was no hint that Achebe was ill. In fact, many of his admirers were waiting for him to respond to reactions triggered by claims in 'There Was a Country' . So when it was announced that the famous writer had passed on, tongues started wagging that, perhaps, the book's controversy played a role. Theories about the cause of his death were many considering the fact no information indicated he was sick. Achebe was writing, lecturing, holding conferences, giving speeches, writing press statements, giving interviews.
His death is still a big shock to me cos I wasn't expecting it to be this soon at all. I do not believe he had a rift with this people.