President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday personally expressed his regrets on Sunday that foremost literalist, Professor Chuba Acgebe, has for the second time turned down the national Medal of Honor as Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, Nigeria’s second highest national recognition.
Professor Achebe, who won the country’s pioneer Nigerian National Trophy for Literature at her attainment of self rule in 1960, and the N1 million naira National Creativity Award in 1999, said that continued violence, leadership failure and the many intractable and self-inflicted crisis in the country would not allow him to accept any national honor.
Achebe, in 2004, had declined a similar honor. In his latest rejection of the award, he told Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, Professor Adefuye, that the same conditions highlighted then still remain a blighting eyesore of the hemorrhaging nation.
The Obasanjo Administration went out with all its enormous might to engage Achebe in 2004. A kess belligerent and less temperamental Jonathan explained to Achebe yesterday that the wourld acclaimed writer would need a trip back home in order to have a first-hand assessment of the ongoing improvements in Nigeria.
The statement, signed by presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati said “President Jonathan regrets Prof. Chinua Achebe’s decision to reject, once again, the conferment on him of the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).”
“President Jonathan is also surprised by Prof. Achebe’s claim that the issues which caused him to reject the same award seven years ago, still remain unresolved.”
“Coming as it does, against the background of the widely acclaimed electoral reforms undertaken by the Jonathan Administration, the claim by Prof. Achebe clearly flies in the face of the reality of Nigeria’s current political situation.”
“As reflected in the immense improvements recorded in the conduct of the last general elections which were applauded within and outside the country as the most credible elections in Nigeria in recent years, the Jonathan Administration has made tremendous efforts to positively change the political architecture complained about by Prof. Achebe and other Nigerians. “
“Politically, Nigeria cannot be said to be where it was in 2004 as the Jonathan Administration has embarked on extensive electoral reforms to institute a regime of electoral integrity that all Nigerians can be proud of, believing that governance will be greatly enhanced in the country if the will of the people prevails at elections.”
“While President Jonathan acknowledges that there are still challenges in the path of Nigeria’s attainment of its full potentials as a nation, he believes that his Administration is moving the country in the right direction and therefore deserves the support, encouragement and cooperation of all citizens.”
“The President continues to hold Prof. Achebe in very high esteem in spite of his regrettable decision which may have been borne out of misinformation as to the true state of affairs in Nigeria and hopes that he will find time to visit home soon and see the progress being made by the Jonathan Administration for himself.”
“Prof. Achebe remains in President Jonathan’s consideration, a national icon, a Nigerian of high attainments, indeed one of the greatest living Africans of our time.”