Nigeria’s first female Governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, has joined other well meaning Nigerians to pay tribute to the late father of African Literature, Prof. Chinua Achebe, who joined his ancestors on Thursday in the United States of America.
In her tribute, the former governor of Anambra State, Dame Etiaba, said of Achebe: “One of the greatest legendary African voices of all time is now silenced by mortality for good.
“Professor Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was a great Anambrarian.
“He was a beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather, an inspiration to all who knew him.
“Our hero, who died in Boston, where he was working as a Professor, is recognized worldwide for his key role in developing African literature.
“He was a remarkable man.
“Chinua was a political activist who would forgo momentary benefits while standing firm for strong principles that he believed in.
“He was the last of a breed of writers whose work and politics defined African independence struggles and who was not afraid to be committed to the cause of a Nigeria free of tyranny.
“He refused to take up a national honour when he felt that the Federal Government looked away as our dear Anambra State bled in a politically contrived crisis.
“He was arguably the greatest of African writers and I am sad to hear of his death.
“How proud and relieved must his fortitude be, to have encouraged a whole generation of brilliant black writers.
“Finally, I urge all Nigerians to read Things Fall Apart over this weekend as a tribute to Achebe’s indomitable spirit and as a reflection of where we are politically and socially.
“Farewell thee well my brother Chinua, you were much needed in our dear country Nigeria, in our continent Africa, and throughout the world as an example of a great black race.
“I salute your courage and commitment to a revolutionary literature of resistance in the world.
“Goodnight my dear compatriot.”
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