Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Chinua Achebe's body arrives Nigeria, Four Presidents, Archbishop Of Canterbury For Burial
Anambra State Government on
Tuesday said four Heads of State
and the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Most Rev. Justin Welby, would be
attending the burial of the literary
icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, at
Ogidi.
The burial of Achebe, 82, who died in
the United States on March 21, holds
on Thursday.
Secretary to the Government of
Anambra State, Mr. Oseloka Obaze,
confirmed the coming of the foreign
dignitaries on Tuesday while briefing
reporters on Achebe's burial
arrangements.
Obaze said President John Mahama
of Ghana would be joining President
Goodluck Jonathan and two other
heads of state, whose attendance
has been secured but awaiting final
confirmation at the burial.
Although the state government had
not declared a public holiday for the
burial, Obaze said it was mandatory
for civil servants to attend the
ceremonies slated for the Alex
Ekwueme Square, Awka on
Wednesday.
Obaze said, "The whole effort is to
give Prof. Achebe a burial that he
deserves as a literary icon and a
great Igbo hero. He was an
international citizen."
Achebe's body, which arrived in
Enugu on Tuesday, will be received
in Awka on Wednesday (today).
Meanwhile, Secretary to the
Government of the Federation,
Senator Pius Anyim, on Tuesday
joined other stakeholders to receive
Achebe's corpse at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi;
Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu
Nebo; and the National Chairman, All
Nigeria Peoples Party, Dr. Ogobonaya
Onu, were among eminent
personalities at the airport to receive
the corpse.
The British Airways aircraft, that
conveyed his corpse, touched down
at the airport about 4am.
The corpse, which was prayed for by
an Anglican Bishop, was driven from
the international wing of the airport
to the local wing in a Mercedes Benz
ambulance with number plate
CHINUA ACHEBE.
Different Igbo cultural groups were
at the local wing of the airport to
welcome the renowned author of
Things Fall Apart.
Anyim, who said Achebe left an
outstanding legacy, urged his family
to bear the loss with fortitude.
Obi, who represented other
governors, said Achebe was a man of
truth.
He said, "I am representing the
governors here. Achebe led a life of
truth and humility. He tried to preach
truth that will make us a better
nation."
Ike, the eldest son of Achebe, said his
father worked tirelessly for the good
of humanity.
He said, "My father, as you know,
was a writer, social critic, family man
and one who worked tirelessly for
the uplifting of his people. The
definition of his people is actually
very broad. It is for those who do
not have a voice; it is for those who
are oppressed and for those who
are not really favoured. He stood
against corruption and government
oppression.
"However, as a family, we will miss
his presence and I will miss his
guidance and advice. But it is not
really a time for mourning. We are
celebrating a remarkable man, who
lived a remarkable life. And we are
very grateful that the world is better
because Chinua Achebe was here."
Achebe's corpse, which arrived in
Enugu about 12.36pm aboard a
private aircraft, Overland Nigeria,
marked 5N-BPE, was accompanied
by his wife, Christy and children.
The author's elder brother,
Augustine, family members,
Secretary to the Enugu State
Government, Mr. Amechi Okolo, and
commissioners were among
personalities that were at the airport
to receive his body.
Okolo, who represented Governor
Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, said
the deceased would be missed by all.
"We are mourning Achebe today
because he was part of the state,'' he
said.
President of Ogidi Union Nigeria,
Chief Obi Okaro, said Achebe
exhibited true leadership qualities in
the union, adding that the
community would immortalise him.
A university teacher, Prof. Ike Ndolo,
canvassed that a national monument
be named after the literary icon.
Ndolo, who decried the poor reading
culture in the country, called for a
collaborative effort to fight the
menace.
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