Encomiums shower on Achebe as body arrives Nigeria

[SunNews]

From FRED ITUA and WALTER UKAEGBU, Abuja

It was gathering of the high and mighty in the early hours of yesterday when the body of the late literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe arrived Nigeria. Achebe's body arrived at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja at 5:00a.m aboard British Airways.

As early as 6.30a.m, dignitaries, including the executive governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, Minister of State of the FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, among others were already at the local wing of the airport where a brief Christian ceremony was held in Achebe's honour.

The Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah among others led the crop of other distinguished Nigerians to receive the body at the newly furbished VIP wing of the Domestic Airport Abuja.

Also on ground to receive the corpse were Prof. Nwala and the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Abuja, the Ogidi Union Nigeria, Abuja Branch who came in their numbers to receive the body of their illustrious son whom they addressed as "Ugo Be N'oji."

Achebe's family, led by his first son, Dr Chidi Achebe was on ground to witness the outpouring of encomiums on their late father and husband.

The President of the Union Mr. G. Ibegbu stated that the demise of Professor Achebe is a great loss to Ogidi, Nigeria and indeed the whole world.

Speaking during the brief Christian ceremony, Bishop of the Niger, Onitsha Anglican Diocese, Most Revd Owen Nwokolo who presided over the ceremony, extolled Achebe's virtues. "Achebe wasn't a proud man," Bishop Nwokolo said. "He was down to earth. He wasn't the type of a typical Nigerian politician. A lot of people have used the wealth of this nation for their personal use, but Achebe wasn't like that. He was different."

"My charge to everyone is that we should learn from Achebe's legacies. Even when he was given one of the highest national honours, he turned it down. Instead, he told the government to tackle corruption instead of giving him a national honours award. He could have been very wealthy if he wanted to be, but he was contented with what he had. We've a lot to learn from him and it is our prayer that during this funeral, we will truly reflect on his legacies," Bishop Nwokolo added.

Governor Obi who spoke to newsmen briefly after the Christian ceremony said: "One important thing we must do is for us to live the life Achebe lived and preached. He built a better place for our children."

Governor Obi downplayed the absence of the other 35 state governors, saying he was there to represent them. "This gathering isn't meant for the governors to be around. The corpse is going to the East and they'll be there. They're not meant to be in Abuja. I'm very satisfied because I'm representing the other 35 governors here."

While welcoming the corpse to Nigeria the Anglican Bishop of Nigeria, Rev. Nicholas Okoh prayed for the body of the literary icon to rest in peace as he praised him for his works on earth and asked God to accept his soul.

The Anambra State Governor Mr. Peter Obi and the aviation minister spoke  briefly in the same vein before the body was taken back into the aircraft.

Achebe's body immediately left for Enugu where a large crowd received the body at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport with the governors of the South-East, traditional leaders and the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndi'Igbo.

Achebe's children and other family members declined to speak to newsmen after several fruitless efforts to get brief remarks from them.

After ceremonies in Enugu, Professor Achebe's body would commence its final journey home today as it leaves Enugu for Awka Anambra State, enroute Ogidi his native place of birth.

 

Via: Sun News Online