Indigenes of Ogidi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state have set the ball rolling on their plans to immortalise the late literary icon, Chinua Achebe, with a university named after him. 

This was disclosed by the traditional ruler of the Ogidi kingdom, Igwe Alex Onyido, during the 10th anniversary of the late literary icon in the community’s town hall. 

“The only way we can immortalise Achebe is to establish a university in his name because he touched many lives educationally, socially, and otherwise,” he said. 

Mr Onyido added, “His legendary works of arts and literature have placed Ndigbo, Nigeria, and Africa as a whole at the zenith on a global scale.”

The monarch sought support for the university project by moving a motion that the community leaders generally adopted.

The community called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to support the project. 

Mr Soludo thanked the community for organising a remembrance anniversary for Mr Achebe. He stated that the late icon deserved better recognition and immortalisation for his outstanding and globally recognised work. 

The governor approved the siting of Mr Achebe’s statue in a strategic landmark location in the state. He also approved the dredging of a flood site in the community to protect lives and properties. 

Mr Achebe was a globally recognised literary icon whose works of art and literature were iconic and globally accepted. 

His novel “Things fall apart” has been translated into over fifty languages and is often used in literature, world history, and African studies courses worldwide.