Remembering Chinua Achebe who Died Last night at age 82

 

He was known as a world renowned professor, Novelist, poet and critic. His African literature (Things Fall Apart), made waves worldwide for its literary excellence and is also the most widely read African Literature.

Achebe had been sick for a while and hospitalised at Boston, Massachusetts, where he gave up the ghost last night, Thursday, 21st March, 2013. 

Achebe rejected an offer of a National Honor in 2004 from the then President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and in 2011, he once again rejected the same award from the present President of the country, Jonathan Goodluck.

His statement on the first refusal to the Honour from Obasanjo read:

“I write this letter with a very heavy heart. For some time now I have watched events in Nigeria with alarm and dismay. I have watched particularly the chaos in my own state of Anambra where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connections in high places, seems determined to turn my homeland into a bankrupt and lawless fiefdom. I am appalled by the brazenness of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency.

“Forty three years ago, at the first anniversary of Nigeria’s independence I was given the first Nigerian National Trophy for Literature. In 1979, I received two further honors – the Nigerian National Order of Merit and the Order of the Federal Republic – and in 1999 the first National Creativity Award.

“I accepted all these honors fully aware that Nigeria was not perfect; but I had a strong belief that we would outgrow our shortcomings under leaders committed to uniting our diverse peoples. Nigeria’s condition today under your watch is, however, too dangerous for silence. I must register my disappointment and protest by declining to accept the high honor awarded me in the 2004 Honors List.”

The statement for refusing the second one read thus:  

“The reasons for rejecting the offer when it was first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again.”

Some of his Awards are: Man Booker International Prize, Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, St. Louis Literary Award etc. He was on several occasions named by renowned Magazines like FORBES as one of the popular people alive.

Achebe in 2011 also fought American Music Star, 50 cent, in court and won when 50cent wanted to name a movie he produced after his popular novel: Things Fall Apart. He was indeed a great and strong man with so much influence.

He was aged 82. May his soul find bossom rest in the lord. Amen.