The family of Prof. Chinua Achebe has however not announced their burial plans following the 82-year-old’s death on Thursday, Agence France Presse reports.
“He is a renowned promoter of the African culture. He cannot but be buried in his native home community,” said Mike Udah, spokesman for the governor of Anambra, Achebe’s southeastern home state.
“The idea of him being buried outside his community is totally ruled out.”
The state governor, Peter Obi, is due to travel to the United States this weekend to discuss Achebe’s burial plans with his family, he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Prof. Chinua Achebe.
Ekweremadu, in a condolence message by Mr. Uche Anichukwu, his Special Adviser (Media), in Abuja on Friday described Achebe’s death as the “exit of a literary Iroko.”
“This is a very sad development given that Achebe employed his writing prowess to paint Nigeria proudly on the global map of fame, and as a social critic.
“He was very courageous and spoke his mind according to his conviction without fear or favour,’’ he said.
Ekweremadu condoled with the professor’s family as well as the government and people of Anambra and the nation in general over the irreparable loss.
Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, described late Achebe as a patriotic, honest and detribalised Nigeria of this era.
Chukwumwerije said this while speaking with journalists in Nsukka on Friday during the committee’s oversight function at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He said the death of Achebe had marked the end of era of undiluted truth in the history of Nigeria, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
“I received the news of Achebe’s death with shock. Achebe dedicated his life time to the service of humanity. Nigeria and the world in general have lost literary icon and giant.
“Achebe will be remembered as detribalised, a great thinker and honest Nigerian. The history of world best literary icons will be incomplete without mentioning Achebe,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Bartho Okolo, also described the death of Achebe as great loss to the country and the world at large.
“Achebe will be remembered as one, who believed in excellence, intellectualism and merit. UNN will remember Achebe, especially on his immense contributions to Institute of African Studies,” he said.
