Maduako Igbokwe I Thursday, Oct.03, 2023
AWKA, Nigeria – President-General Umueri General Assembly, Anambra-East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Johnn Chukwudi Metchie has praised Governor Charles Soludo for renaming Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport Umueri after the late renowned literary giant Prof. Chinua Achebe.
Metchie who spoke with journalists in Umueri on Monday said that the immortalization of Chinua Achebe by Soludo was a laudable and worthwhile decision.
He described Achebe as legend from Anambra state who has left indelible footprints in the sands of time.
According to him, Achebe should not be forgotten instead he should be remembered for his immense contributions to human development.
” Our governor is visionary. He is very meticulous with decision making and as a matter of public policy, he ensures that every decision taken by his administration is in tandem with the wishes and aspirations of the citizenry. ” he said
According to the community leader, late Prof. Chinua Achebe was not just an ambassador of the Igbo nation but also distinguished son of the state who attained global recognition with his literary works.
He said one of Chinua Achebe’s works ‘ Things Fall Apart ” have been translated into many different local and international languages all over the world, noting that the renaming of Anambra airport after him was a well deserved honour.
Metchie who stated that the renowned novelist was a native of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state and died at the age of 82, stated that a prophet is not celebrated amongst his people which was why he extolled the governor’s decision in renaming Anambra airport after the late sage.
The community leader therefore described Chinua Achebe as a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who gave the African literature an identity and a voice and also reconstructed and refined the identity of the people in his literary works.
He said Achebe was not a president or governor or military personnel but a great personality.
He stated that the late literary giant rejected Nigeria’s national honours twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state Anambra.
He therefore re-echoed his profound gratitude to Governor Soludo for finding the late literary oracle, Professor Chinua Achebe worthy of such an honour and announcing same at an auspicious occasion as the 63rd Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
