Governor of Anambra State Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has said he celebrate the late Prof. Chinua Achebe not as a literary icon but as a great community leader who impacted on the people of Ogidi kingdom.
This is as Bishop on the Niger Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Owen Nwokolo described him as a prophet of Igboland who saw tomorrow through his literary works.
They spoke at his 10th memorial Service at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Ogidi organised by Ogidi Kingdom.
The governor said the lecture Achebe delivered in 1982 has been an inspiration to him which also made him to name his son second after Prof. Achebe. He said Prof Achebe made great impact as President General of Ogidi Community who chose to serve his people rather than to enrich himself.
The governor said Achebe as world most famous for his literature works did not forget his root as an Igbo man and Ogidi man.
“Prof Achebe is a pride of Ndigbo across the world due to his literary works. He knew his root and background as a great Igbo man who doesn’t hide his identity. I’m telling Ogidi to come home to do something at any level for the community.
“Achebe will remain my role model until death. I encourage our youths to emulate Achebe for his educational feat and community development. The youths should shun cultism. I want Ogidi families to give us more Achebe’s.
“Government will immortalise Achebe, we shall put his sculpture at the Ugwuasike junction and come up with more things to remember him in the state.”
Bishop Nwokolo, in his sermon taken from Proverb 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, than loving favour rather than silver gold” urged the Igbo to embrace Christianity as key to development rather than reviving idolatry.
He urged Igbo to unite to support themselves and build the region and its people rather than the pull him down syndrome obtainable among the leaders.
“I see the late Prof Acbebe as a prophet who saw tomorrow and prophesied to Ndigbo through his literature works but we did not understand him. Igbo should know that things have changed, we have a new order which is Christianity. Christianity has come to stay which preaches love, care, charity and progress. We should choose good name instead of wealth and riches. We should embrace Christianity which leads to everlasting life than to promote idolatry.
“Igbo are yet to yield to the prophecy of Prof Achabe. We should stop fighting for money instead of building a good name.We should unite to build our region and emulate the virtue of Prof. Achebe We should build our people and support them rather than pull them down.”
Traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Onyido, pleaded with the governor to immortalise Prof Achebe by building university, naming airport after him among other things.
Former minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, presented anniversary keynote address where he x-rayed Achebe’s achievement.
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