AT 6. 00am yesterday, the remains of 82-year-old Nigeria’s literary
icon Chinua Achebe, who died in a Boston hospital arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja from his US-base. The body was released by
government officials led by the Secretary to the Federal Government,
Chief Anyim Pius Ayim.
Also at the airport to receive the casket draped in the National
colours of green, white and green were his first son, Dr. Ike Achebe,
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Minister of Power, Professor
Chinedu Nebo and former governor of Abia State, Ogbonnaya Onu, former
FCT minister, Chief Chuka Odom, former Minister of State for Education,
Dr. Jerry Agada, former House of Representatives member, Dr. Wale
Okediran, chairman of the Achebe National Transition Committee, Prof.
Uzodinma Nwala, traditional rulers and leaders of Igbo communities,
including those from his Ogidi community, and writers.
The casket, carried by pall bearers in traditional Igbo attires was
ushered into the reception hall of the domestic wing of the airport in a
procession led by Rt. Rev Owen Nwokolo who, in a brief sermon, prayed
for the repose of Achebe’s soul saying, “We are gathered to say nno
(welcome) to Achebe. He has come back, though dead but we know that his
works keep him alive. We are gathered to receive him because of what he
has accomplished throughout the world.”
He praised the departed literary icon for his exemplary and
transparent life and called on Nigerians to learn from Achebe’s
transparency and selflessness.
Also speaking, Senator Pius Anyim, extolled the virtues of Achebe and
said his death was a terrible loss to Nigeria and urged the family of
the author to bear it with strength.
Anglican
priest Owen Nwokolo prays in front of the coffin bearing the body of
late Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe upon arrival at Abuja airport. AFP
PHOTO
The body was accompanied by Achebe’s wife, Prof. Christie Achebe, his children Chidi, Chinelo, Nwando and her husband.
Dr. Ike Achebe, the first son of Achebe expressed his appreciation
for the support his family has received since his father’s death on
March 21.
He said: “I want to appreciate everyone that has worked tirelessly to ensure that the transition is peaceful. I thank you all”.
After the airport reception, the casket was ushered into a smaller
plane, escorted by Achebe’s widow and other dignitaries for onward
flight to Enugu where a reception was also held in his honour at the
University of Nigeria, UNN, Enugu campus.
UNN formally declares Achebe absent at Senate; pays tributes
At the senate session held in his honour late Achebe was formally
declared absent having confirmed his demise by sighting his corpse which
laid in-state at the Enugu campus of the university.
The senate and indeed the entire university community paid glowing
tribute to Professor Achebe whose demise, they said, would leave a void
in the hearts of people and the University of Nigeria where he is
revered as a great academic and administrator.
Professors, Associate Professors, Senior lecturers, and other
scholars, draped in their flowing academic gowns, filed past the casket
wrapped with national flag bearing the remains of the late author of
Things Fall Apart.
The remains of the departed literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe
arrived Enugu at 12.35pm yesterday. A private aircraft belonging to
Overland Nigeria marked 5N-BPE brought the dark brown casket wrapped
with dark blue lace to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from
Abuja.
Professor Christie Achebe, his widow, children and Engr Austin
Achebe, his elder brother and leader of the Achebe family were among
personalities on ground at the airport to receive his corpse.
A dark Mercedes Benz R500 belonging to M.I.C funeral undertakers
conveyed the casket to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and a
special Senate session was held in his honour presided over by the Vice
Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo and attended by other scholars. The event
which was attended by members of Achebe’s family and his associates in
Enugu State commenced at 3: 45pm and ended 6pm.
“We are gathered for the purpose of paying our last respect to
Emeritus Professor Chinua Achebe,” Prof Okolo told the large audience
drawn mainly from the university community.
During the special Senate, there was a long roll call of all the
professors who are members of the senate. All of them answered their
names but when Achebe’s name was called severally, everywhere was dead
silent without Achebe responding.
“Dear colleagues, it is unlike Emeritus Professor Chinua Achebe, our
revered man of letters, the literary giant, the Eagle on Iroko, to stay
silent at the mention of his name,” Okolo said.
After formally announcing the passing of Achebe, the Vice Chancellor
said: “For the avoidance of doubt, may I call his name one more time:
Emeritus Professor Chinua Achebe! (still no response). Truly, this is a
solemn confirmation that the earthly sojourn of our revered colleague,
Emeritus Professor Chinualumogu Albert Achebe, our compatriot who rose
to become a citizen of the world has come to an end. It is, therefore,
with profound grief and regret that I preside over this special senate
in his honour.”
Okolo described the late icon as “a truly distinguished academic of
international status and one of the finest academics that the University
of Nigeria has ever produced.” He added that Achebe was one of the best
creative minds of the present generation, stressing that the late
writer told the story of Africa in over 50 different languages.
“In doing so, he brought various aspects of the political history and
socio-political existence of Nigeria to the attention of the world,” he
said, adding that “Achebe will be remembered as a remarkable teacher,
an astute administrator, creative genius, a story teller and author of
extra-ordinary ability.”
The UNN VC said Achebe, during his life time, enjoyed a larger than
life image as a world renowned literary giant, adding that in addition
to his winning many literary awards, “his creative works, which often
had prophetic undertones, drew world attention to African literature.”
However, at the end of the session, the motorcade bearing Achebe’s
remains left Enugu for Awka where another funeral would take place in
his home state, Anambra ahead of his internment at his Nkwelle Ogidi
hometown in Idemili Local Government Area tomorrow.
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