Emmanuel OchayiFormer Anambra State governor and Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the February 25 election, Peter Obi has expressed his delight and approval of the decision to rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport to the Chinua Achebe International Airport.
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, on Sunday changed the name of the state-owned international airport in Umueri to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, stressing that there is no other indigene of the state more deserving.
The International Passenger and Cargo Airport was built by the immediate past administration in the state led by Willie Obiano.
This move, initiated by Governor Soludo, aims to immortalize the late literary icon Chinua Achebe, whose contributions to literature have left an indelible mark on the global literary landscape.
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Mr. Obi In a statement posted on his X page (formerly Twitter)stated, “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 honor that the state and the nation can bestow.”
Peter Obi, known for his eloquence and insight, went on to emphasize the importance of recognizing Chinua Achebe’s monumental contributions to literature and the global cultural heritage.
He said, “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 honor 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.”
He further highlighted that this act follows a tradition in Anambra State of naming public institutions after heroes and outstanding citizens, citing examples such as the former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme Square; 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.
Obi also underscored that this gesture aligns perfectly with Chinua Achebe’s exhortation to “tell our own stories.” Achebe, through his masterful storytelling, not only conveyed his own narrative but also encapsulated the stories of Anambra and Nigeria as a whole.
Thus, renaming the airport after him is a befitting memorial that echoes Achebe’s lifelong dedication to Nigerian and African literature.
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