The former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has expressed admiration for the annual celebration of the late Prof. Chinua Achebe by young writers in Anambra State.
Speaking at the 2023 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, organized by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) at the Prof. Kenneth Dike State Central E-Library Library in Awka, Obi, who served as the keynote speaker, praised Achebe as a revered writer whose literary contributions have left an indelible mark on the global literary landscape.
He emphasized the importance of preserving Achebe’s legacy, highlighting the significant role such a literary festival could play in keeping the flame of Achebe’s influence and legacies alive.
Encouraging young writers, Obi urged them to draw inspiration from Achebe’s works and utilize their creativity to address contemporary societal issues.
Igwe Chidubem Iweka, the chairman of the occasion and traditional ruler of Obosi, described Achebe as a great literary icon with books translated into many languages. He encouraged students to remain focused on their studies despite the challenges of the time.
The monarch, also an author, urged students to continually seek knowledge through books and to represent the Igbo language and culture wherever they go proudly.
Former Secretary to the State Government and ex-Nigerian Diplomat Oseloka Obaze commended the organizers of the event for their dedication to promoting literary arts and preserving Achebe’s legacy. He emphasized the significance of such events in fostering intellectual growth and cultural awareness among the youth.
Stressing the importance of reading for personal and intellectual development, Obaze urged the youth to participate in the literary world actively, ensuring that the flame of enlightenment continues to burn brightly in Anambra State and beyond.
In his address of welcome, Izunna Okafor, the Convener of the event and coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter), stated that the primary goal was to celebrate Achebe as a hero and eagle on the Iroko of African Literature, immortalizing him in their own way as young writers to keep his memory alive.
Okafor commended Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for recently immortalizing Achebe, a call the association had been making for the past eight years.
The event also saw Peter Obi and Igwe Chidubem Iweka honoured with the Chinua Achebe Excellence Award.
