The Executive Governor of Anambra State Prof Chukwuma Soludo has named the Anambra State International Passenger and Cargo Airport after Professor Chinua Achebe.
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This is contained in the 2023 Independence day speech by the Anambra State Governor.
According to him, he stated that it is evident that almost all those Anambra indigenes previously honoured are persons involved in public service.
They are all deserving. However, at this historic moment when we are trying to re-set our values, it is important that we also beam the light on those beacons that we wish to celebrate as icons.
“Today is a day of deep reflection on our journey so far and refine our gaze unto the future. But that future may indeed benefit immensely from the lessons from our heroes past, their patriotism, nationalism, selfless service, vision and actions to build a great nation. Today, I want to specially pay my tributes to all our heroes past. May their labour never be in vain! We will never forget, and will never celebrate them enough.
“Yes, we need to celebrate our heroes past. I am particularly happy that the FGN as well as various state governments tried to immortalize many of our heroes past and present by naming streets, roads, stadia, airports, buildings, university hostels/buildings, universities, libraries, and institutions after them, including: Rt Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe; Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello; Dr. Michael Okpara; Aminu Kano; K.O. Mbadiwe, Moshood Abiola; Murtala Mohammed; Akwaeke Nwafor Orizu; Mary Slessor, Akanu Ibiam; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Sam Mbakwe; Alex Ekwueme; Dora Akunyili; Iwene Tansi; Jerome Udoji; etc. In the recent past, former Gov Peter Obi renamed the Anambra State University started by late former Gov Mbadinuju after Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Former Gov Obiano renamed the Women Development Centre, also built by Dr Mbadinuju after late Dora Akunyili. More recently, the Federal University in Ebonyi state has been renamed Alex Ekwueme Federal University while the new airport built by the government of the immediate past governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi has been renamed Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo Airport, Ebonyi. We appreciate these gestures aimed at keeping our memory of the heroic efforts of these men and women alive,” he noted.*
He further stated that deliberate efforts will be made to fish out and celebrate Anambra largely unsung heroes, as motivation to our children and youths in terms of what matters, including distinguished teachers, medical and other professionals and not only political gladiators in the State.
“However, A society ultimately mirrors what it celebrates. Here in Anambra, we are going back to basics and have identified human capital as Anambra’s greatest resource. We are not just a land of politicians and distinguished public servants, but even more so a land of acclaimed academics, entrepreneurs, professionals, and the clergy.
“We are a land where intellect and enterprise are celebrated. We are determined to reclaim the soul of our society and celebrate those values that made us who we were. We must signal that you don’t have to hold political position to contribute to the advancement of our civilization,” he added.
In his speech he said that one of such unsung heroes is Professor Chinua Achebe and described him as a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, who was regarded as a central figure of modern African literature.
“His first novel and ‘magnum opus’, Things Fall Apart (1958), occupies a pivotal place in African literature and remains the most widely studied, translated, and read African novel. Along with “Things Fall Apart”, his “No Longer at Ease” (1960) and “Arrow of God” (1964) complete the “African Trilogy”.
“I will be able to say a lot more about Achebe’s place in history. Unfortunately some people wrongly think of legacies in terms of brick and mortar. Legacy is about impact on human life and human civilization. That is why those who have been celebrated for centuries are not those who built artefacts but those who changed the course of history. Achebe was not a President or Governor or Minister. He did not build bridges or roads or airports. But he will outlive most presidents, governors or ministers. Achebe gave the African literature an identity and a voice. In a way, he rightly reconstructed and redefined who we are and we will never forget. Indeed, he was not an Anambra hero, nor a Nigerian hero. He was an African and global hero, and yet largely unsung at home,” he enthused.
The Governor noted that though Achebe rejected Nigeria’s National Honours twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state, Anambra, that today, Anambra will finally honour Chinua Achebe.
“After wide consultations, there is a broad consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra State than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe (With its escalating population, Anambra will probably need two more airports in the future). Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to CHINUA ACHEBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, UMUERI. Yes, it has to be an international airport, and we hope to work with the Federal Government to give full effect to its international status,” he reiterated.
