Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), Anambra State Chapter, has commended Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo for immortalising Nigerian literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe.
Recall that Governor Soludo during October 1 Independence Day celebration renamed the Anambra International and Cargo Airport, Umueri, as Chinua Achebe International Passenger and Cargo Airport.
This he said was in recognition of the laudable achievements in the literary world and the roles he played as an African and global hero.
A statement signed by Anambra State SYNW Coordinator, Izunna Okafor, said the move was the best independence day gift to writers ever.
The statement read: “We, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), Anambra State Chapter, joyfully commend and celebrate the esteemed Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for his extraordinary decision to immortalise the late Nigerian literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe.
“The news of renaming the Anambra State International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, after Prof. Chinua Achebe filled our hearts with boundless joy. It is an affirmation of the value and significance of literature in our society.
“As young writers, we have consistently championed the call for the immortalisation of Chinua Achebe through our annual program, the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture. This initiative, which we initiated in 2016, serves as a platform to honor Achebe’s enduring legacy.
“Each year during the festival, we passionately reiterated our call for the government to immortalise Achebe, emphasising the injustice of neglecting such a world-class intellectual. We lamented the demoralising effect this had on upcoming writers and the youth. We observed that while politicians and moneybags were celebrated and immortalised, literary champions like Achebe had not received the recognition they deserved.
“In recent editions of the event, we re-echoed this same call, urging the Anambra State Government to rename the Anambra State International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, after Achebe, and to establish an International Writers Residency in his honour, since there are just two (even privately-owned) writers residencies in Nigeria, and given that Anambra, being a home and cradle of many world-class writers, ought to have, at least, one writers residency.
“Despite our persistent appeals, our pleas fell on deaf ears until the conclusion of the immediate-past administration of Chief Willie Obiano. However, we remained unwavering in our quest, even during the tenure of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
“Today, we express our deepest gratitude to Governor Soludo for heeding our call and fulfilling one of our requests to immortalise Achebe. This act is not only a precious and best Independence Day gift to Anambra writers, but to writers nationwide and beyond.
“By granting this request he has won our hearts and support as young writers here in Anambra State. We cannot thank him enough for this profound gesture.
“While thanking the Governor for fulfilling one part of our request, we respectfully appeal to him to consider fulfilling the second part of our request — establishing the Chinua Achebe International Writers Residency in Anambra State. This residency would be of immense importance and impact. Many of us have been fortunate to participate in writers’ residencies across Nigeria and worldwide, and we long for such a prestigious institution in our beloved state. As we prepare for the 2023 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture scheduled for November 16th this year, this additional announcement from our dear Governor would be a dream come true.
“Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s decision to immortalise our role model, Prof. Chinua Achebe, demonstrates that being an intellectual is a noble virtue deserving of recognition. He has broken the jinx and inspired us to follow in Achebe’s footsteps. By solving and granting this our age-old request, the Governor has proved to us again that Solution is here. This legacy is already etched in the sands of time, and posterity will forever remember him for such historic act.”
