On learning that the eagle on the Iroko has flown to the heavens gate to meet with his literary alter ego Chris Okigbo, my spirit took a nosedive. My appearance forlorn as my friend and poet Dr. Usman Shehu came into my office to declare ‘it is true’ at a time I was wishing that the internet stories of his exit turns out like that of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who survived the media obituary.
I could remember one of my students at the International Institute of Journalism Abuja walking up to me to register her condolence on the exit of the literary genius who they knew I adore more than any African Writer. My medical doctor wife looking at me as I came home on that black day, quizzed me ‘why are you sad, is it because of Achebe’? to which I was tongue-tied to reply to.
My wife knowing my vocation as a writer had always known that Achebe occupies a special place in my heart as not too long ago she demanded to read ‘There was a Country’: A Personal history of Biafra, written by Achebe to which I searched through my study and gave her. With me, she equally became an Achebe fan.
My obsession for Achebe started as a student at Holy Ghost College Owerri in the late eighties when I came in contact with most of the grand master’s works, which all thrilled me to a point of no return. His works inspired me to take to creative writing as I wanted to touch the world with the word as Achebe the wordsmith did.
As an Achebist, I have done a lot of writings on him. In my collection of poetry titled, Tears in Tanzania published in 2005 I honoured the great man of letters with a poem titled ‘Achebe’ in 1999 when the Kennedy center in America made a decision to dramatize his novel I came out with a write-up in the then national post titled ‘My prayers for Achebe’ which was published on March 30, 1999.
In that article I had made a case for him to be given the Nobel prize for literature a plea that was re-echoed by, Emeritus Professor in English and African Literature, Bernth Lindfors at the USA Africa Harvest of Achebe International Symposium in Houston Texas in 2008 when he asked ‘why is this revered man of letters not a Nobel laureate by now’? is it skin colour? Race? Creed or by what yardstick has the Swedish Academy ignored the grandfather of African literature in its selection of men and women who have been deemed worthy of recognition for literature golden price’.
My literary idol on turning seventy also attracted my attention as I had to put up an article in National post on November 21, 2000 titled ‘The eagle on Iroko at 70’ to celebrate with the great man of letters.
When a group in Kenya in 2003 came up with spurious claim that ‘man of the people’ a book written by the legendary Achebe had pornographic content I picked up the gauntlet by replying the group in October 5, 2003 Vanguard Newspaper Publication.
In 1999 at the Odenigbo ground, inside the Catholic Arch Diocese of Owerri, I was one of the many enthusiasts that came to listen to Achebe, then accompanied by late Dr. Pius Okigbo as he delivered the Odenigbo lecture set up by Dr. Anthony Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri in impeccable Igbo. A lecture that was interrupted from time to time with thunderous ovation.
‘In my prayers for Achebe’, which was an article I wrote in 1999 in the National Post I had as one of the wishes, wished that the good lord would preserve this human library up till 100 years, to enable us sip more from his wisdom but the good lord who has the final say in the affairs of men needed him at the heavens gate where his good friend Okigbo has been waiting.
It was Stephen Grallet who once opined that whatever one should do, let him not defer nor neglect it as the opportunity to pass the world again might not be. Achebe never deferred producing books and scholarly works for humanity.
From this repository of knowledge came, Things fall apart (1958) No longer at ease (1966), Arrow of God (1960) A man of the people (1966) and Anthills of Savannah (1987) came from. Short stories like, Civil peace (1971) and Vengeful creditor (1972). What about short story collections like, like sacrificial egg and other stories (1962) Girls at war and other stories (1973) African short stories (1985) and Heinemen Book of contemporary African short stories (1992).
Are we to forget children stories, Chike and the River (1966) How the Leopard got his claws (1972) The flute (1975) The Drum (1978).
What about Non fictional works like, Hope and impediments. Selected essays (1988) An Image of Africa (1975) The trouble with Nigeria (1983) and There was a Country – A personal history of Biafra (2012).
His seminal essays like, Blessed Pope John lecture series in Theology and Culture University of Notre Dame (2009) The Igbo and their perception of God, Human Beings and creation (2009) Education of a British protected child (Alfred Knop) (2009) Home and Exile (2000) and so many others that cannot be captured here as a result of space.
Achebe was not only about literary excellence and scholarship as he never neglected his responsibility to the society. He was the conscience of the nation, lampooning bad leadership and corruption it was on record that the great Achebe rejected and award given to him by the Federal Government twice on account of bad leadership in the Country.
He was African cultural ambassador to the world as he was proud of Africa and promoted African culture wherever he went to, which was why the great Mandela once opined that ‘Achebe brought Africa to the rest of the world’.
Do we start weeping for a man who has been decorated with more than a dozen International literary awards and more than thirty honourary doctorate awards from across the world?
Achebe in the words of Professor Tim Uzodinma Nwala is ‘Immortal’ as he will continue to speak to us through his works and deeds.
To God we say thank you for allowing this wonderful man of letters to pass through this world.
Dr. Uche Akunebu,President, Igbo Writers Network
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
….CELEBRATION OF A HUMAN COLLOSSUS: “CHINUALUMOGU ACHEBE, ONYE EDEMEDE PURU ICHE LAA N’UDO”.
(Being a press statement by the IGBO WRITEERS NETWORK)
The Igbo Writers Network wishes to join millions of Professor Chinua Achebe’s disciples across the globe in celebrating the life of this human colossus of our time as he ascends the celestial realm.
Achebe who functioned not only as the veritable Chief priest of African literature but also one of the past masters of the literary arts in the class of Show and Shakespeare had proved through his many literary works that the black man can be a person of distinction. His magnum opus, THINGS FALL APART translated into more than fifty languages and which sold more than 10 million copies had put the Igbo nation, Nigeria and indeed the African Continent on the world literary map. With THINGS FALL APART and ARROW OF GOD he remained the greatest promoter of Igbo Culture.
As one who believed in the Igbo adage Okenye anaghi ano n’ulo, ewu amuo n’ogbuu (An elderly one should not be in the house and the goat dies in tethers), he had always interjected his voice of reason each time there was a misstep in the leadership of the Country.
As father Achebe joins our ancestors in the world beyond we say “Nnanyi la na udo’ (Our father go in peace) as we strive to work towards excellence, which was what you represented”.
Signed: Signed:
DR. UCHE AKUNEBU C.M.I. EZIMANO, ESQ.
