In a remarkable tribute to one of Nigeria’s literary giants, Chinua Achebe, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State officially renamed the state’s International Passenger and Cargo Airport on Sunday. The momentous occasion took place during the Independence Day parade, celebrating Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary.
Chinua Achebe, the late Nigerian novelist renowned worldwide for his literary contributions, was posthumously honored with the renaming of the airport, now known as the Chinua Achebe International Airport.
Governor Soludo while renaming the airport described Achebe as an example of Africa’s unsung hero, not just to Anambra or Nigeria.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the upcoming 2023 polls, expressed his deep appreciation for Governor Soludo’s decision to rename the airport in honor of Achebe.
In a statement released via X, Obi commended the move as “a most delightful and welcome development,” asserting that Achebe is deserving of all the accolades that both the state and the nation can bestow.
Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, highlighted that Governor Soludo’s decision is in line with the state’s tradition of naming public institutions after Nigerian heroes and exceptional citizens.
He wrote: “The renaming of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport to Chinua Achebe International Airport, is a most delightful and welcome development. The late literary icon deserves all the honour that the state and the nation can bestow.
“Chinua Achebe’s towering stature as a global literary pioneer and icon is deserving of such recognition. I congratulate the Achebe Family for the bestowed honour and Kudos to the Governor of Anambra State, HE Prof. Charles Soludo, for the timely and fitting decision, which is consistent with extant best practices. This latest gesture is in line with the practice of the state government naming our public institutions after our heroes and outstanding citizens.
“Examples include the public arena named after the former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme Square; the Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University, the State Library named after Prof. Kenneth Dike and the science block at CKC Onitsha named the Prof. Chike Obi Building.
“The latest gesture is also consistent with Achebe’s exhortation that we must, of necessity, tell our own stories. By telling his own story so well, Achebe also told the Anambra and Nigerian stories, hence this most befitting memorial.”
