Renowned novelist, Chinua Achebe was on Sunday posthumously honoured by the Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo when the state’s Airport was renamed ‘Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.’
Justifying his decision in a nation wide broadcast to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of Nigeria, Soludo said there is no other indigene of the state more deserving, adding that Achebe was an African and global hero who was largely unsung at home.
The International Passenger and Cargo Airport was built by the immediate past administration in the state led by Willie Obiano.
Going down memory lane, Soludo disclosed that “Achebe rejected Nigeria’s national award twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state, Anambra. Today, Anambra will finally honour Chinua Achebe.”
He continued, “After wide consultations, there is a wide consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra State than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe.
“Anambra will probably need two more airports in the future but this first one will be used to honor him. Consequently, we will and are committed to rename Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport Umuede to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.”
