Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo has unveiled a statue of the late Chinua Achebe, the literary icon, in Ogidi, Idemili north LGA of the state.
The monument, located at Ugwunwasike Roundabout in Achebe’s hometown, was unveiled on Saturday, 13 years after the novelist’s death.
Speaking at the ceremony, Soludo described Achebe as a “global symbol of excellence” whose contributions to literature continue to inspire generations around the world.
The governor said his administration would continue to promote initiatives that preserve Achebe’s legacy while creating opportunities for more literary talents to emerge in Anambra.
“Achebe represents excellence and remains one of the world’s greatest literary figures. We will continue to support initiatives that inspire the emergence of more Achebes in Idemili north and Anambra state,” he said.
Stanley Nkwoka, chairman of Idemili north LGA, described Achebe and Soludo as personalities whose achievements have brought global recognition to Anambra.
The state government said the monument is expected to strengthen efforts to preserve Achebe’s legacy while promoting the cultural heritage and tourism potential of Ogidi.
Achebe, widely regarded as the father of modern African literature, was a novelist, poet and critic born on November 16, 1930, into the family of an Anglican evangelist in Ogidi, Anambra state.
He gained international recognition with his novel, Things Fall Apart, published in 1958. The book, which has been translated into dozens of languages, remains one of the most widely read works of African literature in the world.
Beyond fiction, Achebe wrote essays, poetry and short stories exploring colonialism, identity, governance and post-independence Africa, earning numerous international awards and honours during his lifetime.
He died on March 21, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, at the age of 82, after a brief illness. He was buried in his hometown of Ogidi, Idemili north LGA, on May 23, 2013.
Some of his literary works include No Longer at Ease, Arrow of God, and The Trouble with Nigeria (an essay collection) among others.