Achebe, literary icon, great community leader – Soludo
…As Ogidi monarch Requests for Achebe University, donates land
By Uzo Ugwunze
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has said that he celebrate late Prof. Chinua Achebe not as a literary icon but as a great community leader who impacted on the people of Ogidi kingdom.
Soludo who spoke yesterday at the 10th memorial Service of Prof Achebe at St. Philip Anglican church Ogidi organized by Ogidi Kingdom, stated that the lecture Achebe delivered in 1982 has been an inspiration to him which also made him to name his son second after Prof. Achebe.
He said that Prof Achebe made great impact as President General of Ogidi Community who chose to serve his people rather than to enrich himself.
The governor said that Achebe as world most famous for his literature works did not forget his root as an Igbo man and Ogidi man.
“Prof Achebe is a very pride of Ndigbo across the world due to his literature works. He knew his root and background as great Igbo man who doesn’t hide his identity. I am telling Ogidi to come home to do something at any level for the community.
“Achebe will remain my role model until death. I encourage our youths to emulate Achebe for his educational feat and community development. The youths should shun cultism. I want Ogidi families to give us more Achebe’s.
“Government will immortalize Achebe, we shall put his sculpture at the Ugwuasike junction and come up with more things to remember him in the state.
The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Onyido in his speech pleaded with the governor to immortalize Prof Achebe by building University, naming airport after him among other things.
Igwe Alex Onyido, in his remarks, pledged to donate enough land for the citing of the proposed Achebe University in Ogidi town.
The former Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka in his keynote address said that he shares in the Achebe’s view that the problem of Nigeria is Leadership, ethnicity, bigotry.
Former Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment to former Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, C. Don Adinuba recalled that as a prophet, Achebe predicted the Jan. 2, 1966 coup, July 29, 1966 counter coup and the December 1983 military coup that scuttled the second republic and they all came to pass.
Adinuba said that the acceptance of Prof. Chinua Achebe to serve his community as the Ogidi town union President General brought a new dimension and Reformation in village politics saying that many Academics, Professors, Doctors and PHd holders started emerging as traditional rulers and town union Presidents in Igbo communities unlike before when illiterates or primary school holders occupied such positions.
The Ogidi Community Chairman Organizing Committee for Achebe’s 10th year memorial service, Chief Dr. Chris Onwudiwe, Chairman of the Occasion, Dr. Reuben Okwuosa ay Ogidi Town Union Secretary, Chief Collins Mendu in their separate speeches said they were proud of their own Achebe, a rare gem, a man of the century and impeccable character who turned down National awards on two occasions saying that Nigeria leadership has not Iived up expectations.
After thanking God for the success of the memorial service, the trio tasked Ogidi people to cooperate with Igwe Pharm. Onyido in the vision of attracting more developmental projects to their community.
