By Our Reporter
The literary legacy of Africa’s foremost novelist, Professor Chinua Achebe, received a grand celebration over the weekend in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, as young writers in the state, under the umbrella of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter), held the 2024 edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture.
Themed “Remembering Achebe… In a Time Like This,” the event, which was its ninth edition held on Achebe’s birthday, November 16, at the Prof. Kenneth Dike State Central E-Library, Awka, drawing a wide array of participants, including academics, top government functionaries, prominent traditional rulers, renowned writers, and students from different parts of the state and beyond, who came to join the young writers to honour and fete the enduring legacy of the late literary legend, Achebe, whose 94th posthumous birthday the event also marked.
Delivering a goodwill message at the event, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who was also the Chief Guest of Honour, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting education and creativity among the youth.
Governor Soludo, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, commended the organizers of the event for their efforts in sustaining Achebe’s legacy, and described the late literary icon as a global ambassador who not only made Anambra State proud, but also projected African culture through his writings. While also highlighting some of the Administration’s achievements in the education sector, including the employment of over 8,000 teachers shortly after assuming office and the provision of free and quality education; the Governor further urged the youth to emulate Achebe’s values of discipline, creativity, and resilience and to also take advantage of government’s initiatives to excel academically.
Earlier in his remarks, former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, described Achebe as an eternal symbol of African storytelling.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Paul University and first female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa, Professor Chinyere Okunna; Obi, who was the Keynote Speaker at the event, also lauded the Society of Young Nigerian Writers for organizing the event, and emphasized the need to revive the dwindling reading culture among Nigerian youths these days, which he partly attributed to the pervasive distractions of modern technology.
He also harped on the need for government, private individuals and policymakers to prioritize and invest more in education, literary initiatives, libraries, and platforms that promote learning, support and nurture young creative talents. Obi further called for a collective effort to ensure that Achebe’s ideals of truth, integrity, and justice continue to guide societal progress.
On his own part, the State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Agha Mbah, represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Mr. Emeka Tony Omatah, praised the initiative as a strategic platform for engaging young minds. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment through various initiatives, including the One Youth Two Skills initiative, the Anambra Talent Hunt program, among other such initiatives aimed aimed at discovering and nurturing budding talents across the state, as well as equipping youths with relevant skills for self-reliance.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, applauded the event as a vital step in preserving cultural values and promoting literary excellence. He stressed the importance of balancing academic pursuits with the development of vocational and cultural skills, noting that such holistic education prepares young people for success in a dynamic world. Onyenji assured attendees of the government’s unwavering support for programs that inspire creativity and foster cultural renaissance.
In his goodwill message, a Royal Father of the Day and Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Igwe Sir Ben Emeka (Okebo II), commended the Society of Young Nigerian Writers for their consistency in hosting the Festival for the past nine years. While emphasizing the importance of using Achebe’s works as a tool for cultural education and moral reformation, the monarch also called on the youth to embrace Achebe’s values and apply them in their daily lives, particularly in promoting unity and societal development.
Similarly speaking, another Royal Father of the Day, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, a celebrated author, lauded Achebe’s monumental impact on African literature and the global literary landscape. Igwe Iweka (represented by his cabinet member, Chief Samuel Nwobi) also encouraged young writers to follow Achebe’s footsteps by telling authentic African stories and preserving cultural heritage, noting that Achebe’s works serve as a blueprint for reclaiming African identity in a globalized world.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Convener of the event and Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) Izunna Okafor, emphasized the significance of Achebe’s contributions to African literature and global storytelling. He described Achebe as a beacon of literary excellence whose works, such as Things Fall Apart, have continued to inspire generations across the globe.
Okafor noted that the event not only honours Achebe and celebrates his legacies but also serves as a platform to inspire young writers, promote reading culture, and encourage intellectual development. While noting that they also call for Achebe’s immortalization through the event, he further noted that they also immortalize him in their own ways as writers through their annual publication of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, comprising writings on Achebe, submitted by writers from different countries of the world.
The SYNW Coordinator, while commending Governor Soludo for heeding to their call for Achebe’s immortalization by renaming the Anambra State Int’l Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to Chinua Achebe Int’l Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri on October 1, 2023; also called for the establishment of Chinua Achebe International Writers’ Residency in Anambra. Okafor also called for public and private support for the annual event, while commending the Naira Rice producer, Comrade Arinze Omenwa for always identifying with the initiative.
Chairing the Occasion, the Managing Director of the Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, who has always been part of the event since inception in 2016 described it as a crucial step in cultivating a literate and culturally conscious society. Sir Nnabuife, an award-winning author and media consultant, lauded the organizers for their consistency, and re-echoed the need for stakeholders to support programs that inspire youths to become change-makers and agents of societal transformation.
The well-attended event was also graced by prolific poet and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Information, Mr. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu; the Publisher of the Explorer Magazine, Dr. Tobenna Obiano; the Anambra State Council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD; author and Achebe’s former student in the University of Massachusetts, Conrad Anidiobu; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Empowerment Programmes, Dr. Nelson Omenugha; among others, who all extolled the initiative and assured their commitment towards its sustenance.
Highpoints of the event included the presentation and unveiling of the 9th edition of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology — “Echoes from the Anthills”, recognition of the authors of the outstanding works in the Anthology, special presentations and poetry performances by participants, and the announcement of the winners of the 2024 Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition among the participating secondary schools in the state.
The participants and winners of the essay competition include Ikeakandu John Chidalu, who clinched the 8th position for her school, Kenneth Dike Memorial Secondary School, Obinagu; Obidiozor Bruno who secured the 7th position for his school; Anigbogu Favour from Redeemer’s Int’l High School, Awka (6th position); Nweze Ifunanyachukwu Mary from St. John of God Secondary School, Awka (5th position); Ndidi Sophia Ifeyichukwu from St. Mary’s College, Awka (4th position); Bernard Onyedika Divine from Faith Model Secondary School, Awka (3rd position); Uchendu Favour Ogochukwu from Community Secondary School, Okpuno (2nd position); and Chinanu Stella-Maris Agbodike from St. Lucy Secondary, Ifite-Awka, who won the grand prize of 1st position.
The event was climaxed by the presentation of the Chinua Achebe Excellence Award to Governor Chukwuma Soludo by the young writers, for renaming the Anambra Airport after Achebe.
Indeed, the 2024 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture did not only honour the legendary Africa’s storyteller, Achebe, but also reignited the passion for literature and cultural preservation among the youth, while equally re-echoing the call for celebrating his enduring legacy and upholding his values in today’s society.
More photos from the event:
