Six years after the death of the novelist Prof. Chinua Achebe, the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) unveiled a gigantic portrait bust sculpture in his honor, just at the front of the Faculty building at the arts theatre complex.
This is not just a mere sculptural piece but a monument celebrating his contributions to humanities. The author of “Things Fall Apart”, one of most popular literary piece in history used his works to highlight the traditions of Igbo society; explain the influences and consequences of Christianity, and the clash of Western and traditional African values during and after the colonial era.
Honoring him at this time is very significant, said Professor Chris Ulasi – a literary exponent and a professor of communication at the Texas Southern University. “Don’t forget what Professor Achebe stood for all through the time he lived. And also do not forget how he focused deeply on the Igbo oral tradition, combining open recitation with illustrations of folk stories, intelligible proverbs, and masterly eloquence. His publications – various collections of short stories, books, novels, and essays are all over the bookshelves.”
Furthermore, Achebe was the focus at this year’s Distinguished Personality Lecture of Faculty of Arts, at UNN held last month. The Dean of Arts, Prof Nnanyelugo Okoro, acknowledged Achebe’s influence in the African literary studies and said the Department of English and Literary Studies of the college has introduced a course entitled, Studies in Achebe, which is solely on the writer’s work. “This is the first time in our history that this kind of recognition is being granted to a non-European author. That laudable effort would soon be replicated in other Nigerian universities,” he said.
He said the University was proposing the establishment of Chinua Achebe Study Centre. “Considering Achebe’s stature and his great contributions to global letters, that Centre will attract scholars from all over the world who would be here to impact our students and generate revenue that will be used to develop our dear country. We would need all the help both in the establishment of the centre and in the endowment of the professorial chair,” he said.
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