Achebe: UNN flies Flags at half staff as Tinubu, others pay tribute

The authorities of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka have directed all flags to be flown at half staff as precursor to programmes to honour the literary giant that passed on Thursday night.

Professor Bartho N. Okolo, the Vice-chancellor of the university where Achebe taught in the Department of English for many years, said the university has declared a period of mourning for Achebe, who he said helped to build the reputation of the university.

“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”, Okolo said in a statement.

“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. The University of Nigeria commiserates with his family, the global literary and academic communities and all mankind on the loss of our distinguished former faculty member,” Okolo added.

Former Governor of Lagos State and National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has also weighed in with his tribute.

He described the death of Achebe as the loss of yet another national treasure who died unfulfilled in his dream to see a better governed, fully demorcratic and united Nigeria.

“Achebe’s words were like the arrows of God penetrating the fortresses of our leaders and striking their hearts to do good, unfortunately not many harkened and that is why we remain stuck as a people and a country”.

Tinubu said notwithstanding Achebe’s exploits on the literary stage and his world acclaimed status, Achebe had one regret and that is the failure of successive Nigerian leadership to birth a new country and liberate Nigerians from abject poverty and want.

“Chinua Achebe lived an exemplary life of sacrifice and excellence. He was a critique-general who through his writings offered lucid suggestions and advice on how Nigeria’s problems can be tackled. We are able to glean from his writings a burning desire for change and a crushing devotion to the emancipation of the larger society”.

According to Tinubu, Achebe’s writings will stand the test of time, but more importantly, his books , essays and commentaries will stand as ringing indictments to all the Nigerian leaders, nay Africa who fail to liberate their people from the shackles of want, poverty and unfreedom.

The former governor said Nigeria has alot to offer the world but unfortunately, the best, the brightest and selfless amongst its citizens are often shoved aside.

“Our loss has been the gain of other countries”, the former governor said.

“The world recognized and elevated him for the brilliance of his writings and his seminal interventions, while the Nigerian government treated him like an irritant and one of the pesky activists. We may do more to immortalize Achebe but he is already immortalized through his writings”.

Tinubu recalled how Achebe’s life and writings touched many and mentored several. “In my personal encounters with him, his simplicity, his forthrightness and his engaging personality struck me. Achebe and his writings were one and the same. He breathed what he preached.”

Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State said Achebe’s literary works spoke volumes and were internationally recognised.

Amaechi said his favourite among the books written by Achebe was “A man of the people’’ noting: “I love and have read’’, the book over and over again, mostly because of its portrayal of leadership as it is in Africa.

“I have also commissioned that a movie be made out of it for the benefit of more people, especially our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow. It is such a shock to me that our dearly beloved Achebe, the man who gave us several notable works of literature is gone,’’ he said.

Amaechi said, “Achebe’s intelligence still motivated me, I remember his kind words, his fatherly advice and encouragement.’’

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu expressed shock and sadness over the death of Prof. Chinua Achebe.

Ekweremadu, in a condolence message by Mr Uche Anichukwu, his Special Adviser (Media), in Abuja on Friday described Achebe’s death as the “exit of a literary Iroko’’.

“This 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.

Also, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, described late Achebe as a patriotic, honest and detribalised Nigerian of this era.

Chukwumwerije said this while speaking with newsmen in Nsukka on Friday during the committee’s oversight function at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He said the death of Achebe had marked the end of an era of undiluted truth in the history of Nigeria.

“I received the news of Achebe’s death with shock. Achebe dedicated his life time to the service of humanity. Nigeria and the world in general have lost a literary icon and giant.

“Achebe will be remembered as detribalised, great thinker and honest Nigerian. The history of world best literary icons will be incomplete without mentioning Achebe,” he said