My tribute to the Legend Chinua Achebe
When I heard that one of the men I respect the most (Prof. Chinua Achebe) has passed on, I was not in a
hurry to comment on the matter because to give one’s parting words to a legend like Achebe one’s
words must be chosen carefully and respectfully.
I fell in love with Achebe through his works most notably “things fall apart” “no longer at ease” &
‘Anthills of the savannah’. On reading his works I knew instantly this was a genius a work and since then
i paid special attention to the legend. I have said it many times and I continue to say that I consider
Chinua Achebe the greatest writer of his time in Africa and beyond. His magnum opus “things fall apart”
remains a timeless classic till tomorrow.
I remember when I heard about his last work “There was a country” I was shocked that the legend was
still writing at such an advanced age. I could not wait to hold a copy of the book. Reading the book was
quite interesting. It is the most accurate historical record of the civil war I have come across though I
must also say that the author was highly ethnocentric. After reading the book I remember saying that it
sounded like the voice of a man trying to empty his head before passing on the great beyond. I
perceived from the book that Achebe was trying to offload emotions long locked within him least he be
guilty of taking his voice on the matter to the grave.
I remember a few of his words
1. “Things fall apart was a story yearning to be told and I was only lucky to be the one to tell the
story” - Chinua Achebe
2. “If you do not like someone’s story, write your own” - Chinua Achebe
3. “The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were
amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers and our clan
can longer act as one. he has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen
apart” - Chinua Achebe, Things fall apart
4. “Charity is the opium of the privileged” - Chinua Achebe, Anthills of the savannah
5. “Nobody can tell me who I am” - Chinua Achebe
6. “If I hold her hand she says ‘don’t touch’
If I hold her foot she says ‘don’t touch
’but when I hold her waist-beads she pretends not to know” - Chinua Achebe, things fall apart
7. “When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat left for him, he tells you not to
worry he has brought his own” - Chinua Achebe
8. Writing has always been serious business for me. I felt it was a moral obligation. A major
concern of the time was the absence of an African Voice. Being part of the dialogue meant not
only sitting at the table but effectively telling the African story from an African perspective. –
Chinua Achebe, There was a country
9. “I had very little at my disposal to protest with, so the strongest statement I could make was to
turn down the honor of commander of the federal republic which I was awarded.” – Chinua
Achebe, There was a country
Quoting him will have no end because Achebe was a Man of many deep words.
I respect him because he was an excellent literary authority. He has a unique writing style and his words
leaps with authority from the pages of books into the minds of the reader. From his works I have learnt
to find my words in my own style without copying the pattern of any man. My first published work will
soon be out and Achebe remains my literary motivation.
He was a man that has received every professional accolade yet he remained humbled and he shocked a
nation when he rejected a prestigious national award because he felt he could not collect such an award
in clear conscience.
On his death, I say May the legend rest on. No one can say when Achebe will truly die because his works
will remain with us for a long time to come. I am not saddened by his death because he lived the life of
an achiever. In life I respected Chinua Achebe and in death My great respect still remains for the legend
that is CHINUA ACHEBE
- Wakbul