Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has announced that the state's international airport will bear the name of the late literary icon Prof. Chinua Achebe. The airport, located in Umueri, will now be called “Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri”.
Soludo made this declaration on Sunday, October 1, 2023, during the Independence Day celebration at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital. He said that Achebe was a hero not only for Anambra and Nigeria but also for Africa and the whole world, even though he was largely unrecognized at home.
He noted that it was touching to see that many of the people who contributed to Nigeria’s independence in 1960 had various projects named after them. He said that most of these projects were named after public officials.
He said that his administration had decided to break the norm and honour Achebe by naming the Anambra airport after him. He said that Achebe did not need to hold any political position to advance our culture.
He said that his government would deliberately seek out and honour other unsung heroes who have made positive impacts in different fields and sectors. He mentioned examples of such heroes, such as outstanding teachers, medical and other professionals, people of honesty and integrity, philanthropists with known sources of wealth, business owners/job creators, community leaders/developers, devout clergy, etc.
He said that the late Professor Chinua Achebe was a perfect example of Africa’s unsung hero. Achebe never held the office of president, governor, or minister. He did not build any roads, bridges, or airports. However, he would live longer than most presidents, governors, or ministers.
He said that Achebe gave African literature a voice and a sense of identity. He said that we would always remember how he accurately portrayed and redefined who we are. He said that Achebe was not just a Nigerian or Anambra hero. He was a hero for Africa and the world, but mostly unknown at home.
He said that Achebe twice rejected Nigeria’s national honours in protest against what he perceived as injustice towards his native Anambra. He said that Anambra would finally pay him tribute today.
He said that after careful consultations, there was a general consensus that Anambra’s greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe, should have the first airport in the state named after him.
He said that the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, would now be known as the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri. He said that it must be an international airport and that he would work with the Federal Government to ensure that it meets the required standards.
Prof. Achebe died in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 21, 2013, at the age of 82. He was born in Ogidi, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
0 Comments