Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC has joined paid glowing tribute to late Professor Chinua Achebe.NLC in a tribute by its acting President, Comrade Promise Adewusi in the death of Achebe, “Nigeria has lost a global literary and cultural icon, a foremost nationalist and father of African Literature. Chinua Achebe was a colossus who bestrode the literary world. He set the tone and direction of African Literature, capturing in the process the total African experience: from pre-colonial and colonial periods through decolonisation and its discontents to national ferments, disillusionment and alienation.
Although better known for his novels, Achebe was an unusual master craftsman who distinguished himself in all the genres of Literature. He was an essayist, poet, playwright and critic who was unrelenting in his criticism against injustice, oppression, corruption and other vices in the society. He captivated the world with his simple narrative as well as inspired generations of African writers who took pride in their cultures.
The congress added that “Achebe was a principled man and an unignorable moral force known for his quiet rebuke of bad governance through his gestures. He did not speak often but whenever he did, it resonated through the nation. He was a critic who offered prescriptions for national rebirth, firmly holding accountable poor leadership as the genesis of Nigeria’s problems. The accident that rendered him physically-challenged for about three decades was avoidable and a sad commentary on the state of our roads. His death at 82 is a blow to the world of the arts and a huge loss to that exclusive club of pioneers of African writers.
“The greatest tribute Nigeria may yet pay this icon may not just be the naming of an institution after him or to put his face on our currency note, but to reinvent the education system that produced this unique generation of writers: Achebe, Soyinka, Clark et al”NLC said
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka has declared that it is mourning the death of foremost African writer Professor Chinua Achebe, who died Thursday, March 21 at Boston, United States. Professor Achebe is closely linked to the University of Nigeria where he taught for many years after the Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970, serving as professor of literature as well as researcher and latter director of the Institute of African Studies.
UNN Vice Chancellor Prof Bartho Okolo in a statement said the University feels “deep sadness and sense of immense loss the demise of a distinguished member of the UNN family, Prof Chinualumogu Albert Achebe.”
Okolo, the 13th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, declared, “Prof Achebe was one of the academic titans whose presence on the faculty served as a beacon of light that drew the world to the University of Nigeria”.
He added, “After the epochal Things Fall Apart that gave a voice to African literature and its people, Achebe continued his pioneering endeavours with the founding of Okike, a foremost journal of African literature that birthed the careers of many a distinguished writer. His work in leading research into the cultures of the Igbo and various groups in the Institute of African Studies further cemented the reputation of the University of Nigeria as a centre of liberal learning in the best traditions.”
Speaking further on the legacy of the late author of several notable books, the UNN vice chancellor declared that “Achebe in his work gave to the language, culture and people of Igbo land a universality that positioned it as one of the major ethnic groups of human civilisation.”
Okolo said UNN commiserates with the Achebe family, “the global literary and academic communities and all mankind on the loss of our distinguished former faculty member.”
Flags in the university would fly at half-mast in honour of the departed “academic titan” adding that “UNN will unfold a programme to honour Achebe and would be privileged to partake in all activities aimed at honouring this truly distinguished giant and contributor to the human race.”
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has also expressed shock and sadness over the death of Professor Chinua Achebe.
Reacting to the news of the death, Senator Ekweremadu who was apparently overwhelmed by emotions described Prof. Achebe’s death as the “exit of a literary Iroko”.
A statement by his Special Adviser of media Uchen Anichukwu quoted Senator Ekweremadu as saying that the unfortunate death of Professor Achebe ” is a very sad development given that Achebe employed his writing prowess to paint Nigeria proudly on the global map of fame, and as a social critic, he was very courageous and spoke his mind according to his conviction without fear or favour”, he said.
Senator Ekweremadu condoled with the Professor’s family as well as the Government and people of Anambra, and the nation in general over the irreparable loss.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, in his tribute said said the valuable contributions Nigeria’s literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, has made to the development of African literature are unassailable and a blessing to posterity.
Engr. Ikuru said he was shocked to learn of the demise of Nigeria and Africa’s literary Iroko tree, lamenting the dearth of great intellectual minds of Achebe’s kind across the continent.
The Deputy Governor condoled with the bereaved family, noting that he identified with them in this moment of grief, urging them to take solace in the fact that the late literary great left indelible footprints in the sands of time.
Also former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun state while paying tribute to Achebe said “We have lost a renowned literary icon and a pillar in the academic world who through his astuteness in literature won honour and respect for Nigeria. Indeed the demise of Professor Chinua Achebe has robbed the country of a fearless critic, patriot, first class academic and an uncommon man of letters who through his writings mirrored the state of the country incisively and effected a connection between our past and present”.
Daniel who described Achebe as a giant in his chosen field and profession said the departed elder statesman through the dexterity of his writings and the insight they provided on different facets of our history contributed prodigiously to what has come to be known as Project Nigeria.
“Professor Achebe was a master story teller, chronicler of history, distinguished academic who represented some of our best traditions. It is to his eternal glory that his magnum opus i.e. Things Fall Apart, gained universal acceptance and has become one of the most read novels of our time
that has survived different generations. Our thoughts go out to his family and people of our country at this time and our prayer is that God will grant all of us the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
