Jonathan, Atiku, Kalu eulogise Achebe

President Goodluck said he received with immense sadness the news of the passing away of Nigeria’s globally acclaimed writer, scholar, tutor, cultural icon, nationalist and artist of the very first rank, Prof. Chinua Achebe.
Jonathan, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said he joins Achebe’s family, his friends, colleagues, past and present students, admirers and all who have learnt indelible lessons of human existence from his award winning works of literature in mourning the legendary author.
The statement added: “As he mourns however, the President is consoled by the knowledge that Prof. Achebe will live forever in the hearts and minds of present and future generations through his great works which brought him enduring international fame and countless honours.
“The President believes that Prof. Achebe’s frank, truthful and fearless interventions in national affairs will be greatly missed at home in Nigeria because while others may have disagreed with his views, most Nigerians never doubted his immense patriotism and sincere commitment to the building of a greater, more united and prosperous nation that all Africans and the entire black race could be proud of.
“He recalls that with maturity and global stature, Prof. Achebe fearlessly spoke the truth as he saw it and became, as he advanced in age, a much revered national icon and conscience of the nation who will be eternally honoured for his contributions to national discourse as well as the immense fame and glory he brought to his fatherland.
“On behalf of himself, his family, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Prof Achebe’s family.
“He prays that God Almighty will receive Prof. Achebe’s great soul and grant him eternal rest from his outstanding earthly labours.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described Achebe as an icon of unmatched integrity and conviction.
In a tribute to the late professor and author of the famous “Things Fall Apart”, the former vice president recalled how Achebe forcefully rejected and condemned the July 2004 political crisis in Anambra State during which thugs attempted to remove a democratically elected governor on the orders of a godfather.
Based on his convictions and principle, Abubakar said the late professor rejected a national honour conferred on him by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan administrations.
According to Abubakar, few Nigerians would have followed the courage of their conviction and reject national honours because of the fear of losing favour from those in power.
On the literary front, Abubakar paid glowing tribute to late Achebe’s unquantifiable contributions to African literature.
He said Things Fall Apart would remain Achebe’s everlasting legacy to literature.
In his words: “The translation of Things Fall Apart into more than one hundred languages of the world had put not only Nigeria but also Africa on the map, thanks to Achebe’s literary prowess.”
The former vice president also praised the lucidity of Achebe’s writing style, which he said made him one of the most readable and popular authors of the world.
A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has expressed sadness at the death of Achebe.
Kalu said he was socked when at about 6:30am on Friday in Guinea, he got calls Dr. Obi Achebe and Dr. Achebe (Jnr), brother and son to Prof. Achebe from Lagos and Rhode Island, USA, informing him of the death.
He described the death of Achebe as a big blow to the nation.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, Kalu said Professor Achebe was an Iroko whose good works will continue to speak for him even after death.
He noted that Achebe was a renowned and world celebrated writer and novelist whose principles and ideology to life is worthy of emulation.
His works such as ‘Things Fall Apart” and recently published ‘There was a Country’ are household names all over the world.
Kalu said Achebe was a nationalist who believed and championed the cause of a just and ideal society through his writings.
He further stated that though he died at a time the country needed him more but he takes solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life.
Kalu commiserated with the Achebe family and good people of Anambra State and prayed God will grant the elder statesman eternal rest.
In a similar development, Dr. Kalu has condoled with the family of late Prophet T.O. Obadare and ministers and members of the World Soul Winning Evangelical Ministries on the demise of the renowned evangelist and founder of the Ministry.
In a statement signed by Oyewumi, Kalu described Prophet Obadare as a great man of God who lived a life dedicated to evangelism and humanity.
His exemplary leadership qualities in the Ministry, society and all spheres of life were commended by Kalu.
Kalu prayed God will grant him a blissful rest.