THE community of the University of Nigeria in Nsukka on Tuesday paid their last respect to the literary
icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, who died in March at Boston, United States.
The body of the late writer and poet was laid in state at the auditorium of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
There the academics filed past the casket draped with the Nigerian Flag.
In his tribute, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Bartho Okolo, described Achebe as “one of the finest academics that the UNN has ever produced’’.
“We mourn him for his unique contributions to the development of our university and for the enormous visibility he brought to our university through his creative works, even in death.
“He will be remembered as a remarkable teacher, an astute administrator, a creative genius, a story teller and author of extra-ordinary ability,’’ he said.
Okolo said the Institute of African Studies, which he headed and the `Okike Journal’ which he founded, would continue to serve as worthy and enduring monuments of his career in the university.
While consoling Achebe’s family for his loss, the vice-chancellor said that the university would immortalise him at the appropriate time.
In his remarks, the former Vice-Chancellor of Renaissance University, Agbani in Enugu State, Prof. Emeka Okpara, described Achebe’s death as a great loss to Igbo land and Nigeria in general.
Okpara, a professor of psychology at UNN, stressed the need for Achebe to be immortalised by the university and in Igbo land for his dedication and contributions to the development of the nation.
NAN reports that Achebe’s body was escorted by his wife, Christy, his son Ikechukwu, family members and the town union from Ogidi, Anambra, while the Music Department of the University performed.
The late literary icon would be buried on Thursday in his home town, Ogidi.