REPORER: BEN ILECHUKWU
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has unveiled the statue of literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe, at Ugwu Nwasike Roundabout, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Governor Soludo extolled Achebe’s towering achievements as a noble writer who lived a life of impact, noting that Achebe stood for the virtues of hard work, integrity, and making legitimate wealth.
“I was inspired by the late literary icon. In fact, my venture into politics was inspired by him,” the governor said.
Governor Soludo said Achebe was worthy immortalizing, recalling that the global icon once served as President General of Ogidi Community and lecturer at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
According to him, the essence of the statue was to remind present and future generations of the message Achebe lived and wrote for.
The governor added that citizens and youths of the state should emulate Achebe’s ethics, discipline, and commitment to excellence, admonishing residents of the area to shun cultism and cult-related crimes which he said Achebe stood against.
He also recounted that his administration had earlier named the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport after the literary icon.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and the Eze Iweka of Obosi Kingdom, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, expressed delight over the decision to immortalize the late literary icon by naming the Anambra Airport after him and erecting a statue in his honor.
In a speech, the son of the late academic, Professor Ike Achebe, thanked the governor for according his father befitting respect through the naming of the Anambra Airport and the erection of the statue.
Correspondent Ben Ilechukwu reports that residents of Ogidi and environs came out in their numbers to witness the ceremony in honour of the literary giant.
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