Perhaps literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe in far away America may still be pondering on the momentum, which his novel of 50 years had since gathered following the week-long celebration of Things Fall Apart across the globe. Although he was not physically at home to witness the homage paid him by younger acolyte at different venues, but his spirit, as people say, was indeed present at each of the events organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) as a worthy tribute to a productive literary career, particularly in celebration of the classic novel.

Last Thursday at the open arena of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Abuja, the writers’ body led by Dr Wale Okediran held a feast and a lecture for children in honour of Achebe.

They invited popular TV personality and broadcaster, Mrs Eugenia Abu to deliver a keynote address on Things Fall Apart and the Nigerian Child. And the broadcaster, who dressed in a simple Ankara attire, did not disappoint the guests who comprised writers, scholars, students, journalists as well as all lovers of literature and the arts.

Recalling the unexpected honour by ANA to select her for the lecture, Abu who was grateful to the writers body also reminded the audience that Chinua Achebe himself once confessed he never believed the novel could turn out to be so popular. She went on to describe the Nigerian child as being crucial and important to the development of the country, hence, they deserve to learn the values and virtues which Things Fall Apart teach particularly from the African perspective.

According to Abu, having been translated into over 50 different languages all over the world, Things Fall Apart has assumed the status of a classic which the Nigerian child must learn from in view of the overwhelming influence of foreign culture among Nigerian youths. Said Abu: “The Nigerian child of today is inundated by foreign culture because nobody is telling our stories…but Chinua Achebe through Things Fall Apart holds the African torch which gives light to our heritage and tradition”.

While regretting daily erosion of African culture through western values. Abu threw a big challenge to Nigerian children and youths, urging them to celebrate their food, cloth, festivals, folktales, among others.
With the gesture of a true teacher and scholar, Abu equally lectured on the lessons which Things Fall Apart offers the youths, adding that the virtues of hard work, humility, patience, tolerance, love and dynamism are indispensable for a child who wants to learn “ how to dine with the elders.” The seasoned broadcaster concluded by affirming that the tragedy of Okonkwo (the protagonist of the novel) is the tragedy of post colonial Africa. She hinted however that things have not really changed, but that Nigerians, particularly youths should remember their roots, they should take what is good and discard what is bad in our heritage.

Abu’s lecture was trailed by tributes, poetry recitations, quiz competitions on TFA as well as cultural performances by secondary school pupils. At the end of the quiz competition; Loyola Jesuit College;s Tolulope Onyiangi emerged best with 21 points followed by Benjamin Asinomo of Hill Top Model School, Minna, who came second with 18 points and Onyinye Ibeabuchi of Government Secondary School who scored 12 points to clinch the third position.

In the reading competition category which was administered by Mrs Pamela Udoka, winners emerged as follows; Model Secondary Scgool, Maitama (first); World of Faith Comprehensive Schools, Abuja (second and Hill Top Model School, Minna (third).

In his welcome address, Okediran described how ANA distributed copies of the novel to selected secondary schools in and around Abuja for the purpose of reading and studying. He added that the aim was to test the students’ knowledge with a series of quiz competitions as well as use the media of Drama and music to advocate and entertain the audience. Also the duo of Dr Jerry Agada, Minister of State for Education and Mr Yahaya Dangana (who represented) the Niger State governor urged pupils to emulate the virues and qualities of Chinua Achebe. Both Agada and Dangada described Achebe as a role model who started his writing career early in life.

While Agada cited the coincidence of the golden anniversary of Things Fall Apart with the World Book Day (april 23), Dangana said Achebe has been able to sell the culture of his people to the globe even while alive.

Night of tributes, songs for the Iroko
It was a night of fun and palpable emotions key players of Nigerian literature and the media sectors gathered from far and near to honour the master story teller and literary giant whose classic Things Fall Apart turned 50 this year. At the show was Dr Reuben Abati, Chairman Editorial Board of The Guardian was equally marked by panache as many celebrities trooped in to sing praises in honour of the story teller.

On the list of dignitaries were such literary greats as Professor Olu Obafemi, Odia Ofeimun, Eddie Iroh and Dr Doyin Abiola. Others were Dr Aliyu Hang, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and National orientation, Col (Sir) Tunde Akogun from the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Joe Musa, Director National Gallery of Art (NGA), Obong Victor Attah; former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Segun Arolowo and Richard Mofe-Damijo, actor and special adviser to Delta State governor.
A unique evening of songs, dances and performances, the night of tributes was equally buoyed by the poetry rendition of He Rose To Set The Continent Free by journalist-poet Akeem Lasisi in honour of Achebe. In fact, Lasisi’s extempore on Achebe’s literary exploits seemingly rose the evening’s tributes to a climax, although excerpts of the classic novel was read intermittently by Dr Doyin Abiola, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Eddie Iroh among others. It was only Odia Ofeimun, who chose to read a poem from W.B Yeats’ collection, ostensibly to remind the audience about the work from which Achebe burrowed his title; Things Fall Apart.

With an imposing portrait of Chinua Achebe at the background, admirers of the storyteller stormed the stage to pay their tributes. The first however Professor Olu Obafemi’s citation of Chinua Achebe which revealed many parts of the great man in its simple title; The Eagle on the Iroko. According to Obafemi, Achebe was being celebrated because his works cleared the path and carved a cannon for the germination and blossoming of Modern African Fiction. His words” He (Achebe) is not the first Nigerian novelist, Cyprian Ekwensi and Amos Tutuola wrote their first novels before him. But it was Things Fall Apart that provided the counter factual response to the colonialist paternalistic perception of Africa”.
For award winning writer, Helon Habila, “Things Fall Apart has undeniably changed how we read, how we interprete and how we write African literature. In one of his essays, the critic Simon Gikandi, has credited Achebe with the invention of African culture. By this, he doesn’t mean that African culture was non-existent until Achebe brought it forth with a flick of his pen, he simply means that Achebe has captured it in a creative, textual, portable, readable form for all generations and by so doing he has re-invented it.

In his own perception, Ofeimun said Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart in order “ to reclaim our past and prepare for the future”. And to buttress the duo of Obafemi and Ofeimun, Dr Abiola ezpressed her joy in the celebration, noting that the ethnic group was a signal that the youth can help resolve the old conflicts which rocked the nation during the era of tribal politics.

For Richard Mofe-Damijo, being the first Nigerian actor to play the role of Okonkwo on stage was as challenging as heroic. He hinted further that he was impressed by the novelist’s artistry in the use of words and expressions to capture events and moments. And to illustrate his emotions, RMD read the moving, yet tragic account of how Ikemefuna, a foster son to Okonkwo was hacked down by the same man whom he grew up to know as his father-Okonkwo.

While extolling Achebe’s virtues, Dr Aliyu Hung also urged parents and to inculcate the culture of scholarship and reading into their children. The minister who observed that the culture of scholarship is fast disappearing equally tasked individuals and reputable institutions to institute awards and prizes as a reward for excellence in literature.

Buttressing Hung, Col (Sir) Akogun described Things Fall Apart as a timeless document for all generations. He noted that having written the great novel at the age of 28, Achebe has, today, confirmed his ingenuity and creativity as a world class writer. “ Writing such a great book at 28 with his mastery of English language shows that indeed, Achebe is an icon and a paragon of exemplary literary effort whom others should emulate”.