Former governor of Anambra state and immediate past Minister for Labor and Productivity Sen Chris Ngige has confirmed the reasons why Gov Charles Soludo named the Anambra Airport after Late Prof Chinua Achebe saying that he was consulted before the pronouncement.
Gov Soludo in his independence anniversary celebration speech said that before the announcement Gov Soludo had consulted him and he gave his approval amongst other Anambra people that the governor had approached.
In a statement by Ngige he noted that there is no other person that deserves to be honored in this manner than Achebe.
According to Ngige, he was one of those that were consulted by Gov Charles Soludo before he made the pronouncement adding that it is a welcomed development.
“This is a welcome Development. I was one of the stakeholders consulted by Governor Soludo on the issue and I gave my nod.We thank the Governor for carrying this through- a recognition well deserved.
“Ichie Ugonabo Prof Achebe even though was not a prized Nobel Laureate in his lifetime bestroded the world of Literature like a collosus.Interestingly the Ibos of the Southern Nigeria had at the at the last Igbo day celebration on Friday 29th September at Okpara Sq Enugu given him an award in “super Heroes” category by the Ohaneze for putting the Igbo nation on the world map through his intellectualism.
“So starting from his home State, Anambra State and his Igbo brothers we have announced to Nigeria and the world that this prolific Author of Things fall Apart;There was a Country; The man of the people ;and many other visionary works of satire,even though bodily dead is still alive.
“The federal government should also follow suit and name a National Monument after Achebe in line with Resolutions of the 7th Senate and House of Reps of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at his Valedictory session of both Houses and work of upgrade of the primary school where he did his primary school Education in his hometown Ogidi to a primary, secondary, and Tertiary complex Abe reactivated as promised by the then President Jonathan,” he said.
