Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has described the late essayist, poet and celebrated novelist, Professor Chinua Achebe who died early on Friday as a true patriot whose love and passion for Nigeria cannot be doubted.
In a statement by his press secretary, Felix Ofou, the governor said though there were moments when the late teacher of African Literature’s views were at variance with the authorities, he left no one in doubt as to his depth of love for Nigeria.
Governor Uduaghan also noted that Achebe was unmistakably Nigeria’s foremost ambassador to the world through his craft as a novelist, poet, essayist, teacher, public affairs analyst and renowned speaker at the world stage.
“It is noteworthy that most of Professor Chinua Achebe’s books were about Nigeria. For this, he won so many awards. I can say he was Nigeria’s foremost ambassador. He was a true patriot who put his country first where he went and in whatever he did”, he noted.
Uduaghan further described Achebe’s death as a big blow to Nigeria, the academia particularly African literature as well as to all lovers of democracy and good governance all over the world.
The Governor prayed God to grant the nation, the deceased family, associates and admirers the fortitude to bear the loss.
