By Christian Aburime and Joe Ifeizu
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate of the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has applauded Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, for naming of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport after the late literary giant, Prof. Chinua Achebe, saying its is a most delightful development.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi stated that Achebe’s towering stature as a global literary pioneer and icon is deserving of such recognition.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, thanked Soludo for the gesture.
“The renaming of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport to Chinua Achebe International Airport, is a most delightful and welcome development.
The late literary icon deserves all the honour that the State and the nation can bestow.
“Chinua Achebe’s towering stature as a global literary pioneer and icon is deserving of such recognition. I congratulate the Achebe Family for the bestowed honour and Kudos to the Governor of Anambra State, HE Prof. Charles Soludo, for the timely and fitting decision, which is consistent with extant best practices.
“This latest gesture is in line with the practice of the State government naming our public institutions after our heroes and outstanding citizens.
“Examples include the public arena named after the former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme Square; the Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University, the State Library named after Prof. Kenneth Dike and the science block at CKC Onitsha named the Prof. Chike Obi Building.
“The latest gesture is also consistent with Achebe’s exhortation that we must, of necessity, tell our own stories. By telling his own story so well, Achebe also told the Anambra and Nigerian stories, hence this most befitting memorial. -PO”
In a related development, the people of Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area have expressed appreciation to the State government for renaming the airport in their community after Chinụa Achebe.
Governor Soludo, during Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary celebration in Awka, announced that the airport would henceforth be known as, “Chinụa Achebe International Airport, Umueri”.
Following the announcement, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe, Sir Ben Emeka through a letter dated; October, 2, 2023, to Governor Soludo, conveyed the community’s excitement and appreciation over the timely declaration.
The letter reads in part; “Mr. Governor, for me, the icing on the cake in your independence celebration address on October 1, was the recognition, declaration and resonating renaming of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport Umuleri after our iconic, globally acclaimed intellectual and creative son, Chinua Achebe,
“Mr. Governor, the honour of granting me listening ears during an audience with you in days preceding the renaming of the Airport profoundly resonates with me.
“Most assuredly, your tenure will continually be accorded my premium support and approbation.”
Ogidi-born Achebe, who passed away in 2013 at age 82, was known and celebrated globally for his intellectual prowess. His dedication and commitment to his work earned him the respect and admiration of all those who knew him.
Governor Soludo disclosed that the decision to rename the airport after the great literary icon was taken as a mark of respect for his contributions to the State and global audience, and as a way of perpetuating his memory.
He said: “Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, gave the African literature an identity and a voice and he rightly reconstructed and refined the identity of the people.”
“After wide consultations, there is a broad consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe.
“Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri,” the governor added.
The governor revealed that Achebe was not just an Anambra hero nor a Nigerian hero, but an African and global hero and yet largely unsung at home.
He emphasized that the declaration was to immortalize Chinụa Achebe for making indelible mark on the history of human civilization.