Achebe: An Icon

Lawmaker asks Anambra to immortalise Achebe
From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka

A MEMBER of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Joe Dimaobi, has urged the state government to immortalise renowned novelist, Prof. Chinue Acbebe, for his contribution to the literary sector.

Dimaobi, who said in Awka yesterday, that the state University of Science and Technology Uli, should be named after Achebe or building an international research centre in his name, adding that he had made a lot of contributions to the literary world, citing his Things Fall Apart, the most celebrated, circulated literature book in the world.

Things Fall Apart has been translated into more than 50 languages, and about 10 million copies have been sold across the world," Dimaobi said. He said the literary icon has been honoured and has received more than 30 honorary degrees and other several awards from the international community.

"If this giant, who is the pride of Igbo race, Africa and indeed the entire world could be recognised by the world, why has he not been appreciated in his home country, particularly Anambra State."

He said it is now out of fashion for a prophet not to be recognised by his people or his country, lamenting that various governments had failed to appreciate Achebe's contributions toward the development of literature in the world.

The era of recognising somebody who has meritoriously achieved a lot for his people, the society and country after he must have died is also over, Dimaobi said.

The lawmaker, therefore said that Achebe should be rewarded when he is still alive, adding that he is passionately urging the state government to immortalise "this our son from Ogidi in Idemili North Council of Anambra."

"It worries me that people who have made it selflessly for the interest of the people or the state or even Nigeria are not remembered when they are alive. I want this to serve as a stepping stone for recognising people that have performed greatly when they are still alive," he said.
Source: The Guardian, 16^{th January 2009.}