As the world continues to celebrate the golden age of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the University of Ibadan recently stood still for days with a beehive of activities to honour the literary icon. The university was overwhelmed by literary activities just as students and staff of the institution were proud to have produced a writer whose work has set a pace in the history of mankind.

With the theme; The Significance of Things Fall Apart to World Literature, the Department of English teamed up with its Theatre Arts counterpart as well as the Intitute of African Studies and Kenneth Dike library to celebrate the book and ots author.
The main event was divided into three parts: the book fair, exhibition of Achebe’s works at Kenneth Dike library which rounds off tomorrow and the colloquium, which held at Lady Bank Anthony Hall, University of Ibadan. The latter held under the chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancelor (Academic) Prof. Adigun Agbaje.

On the occasion, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart was identified as a noble contribution to humanity as it continues to generate global interest by its timeless significance to a nation and the world at large.

The convener of the event, Dr Shola Olorunyomi of Department of English said Things Fall Apart holds a particular place of pride for every Nigerian because of its representation of the Africans in terms of global reckoning.

By celebrating the book, the university, according to him, is creating a base to re-focus on Literature, Dedication and Enterprise.

At the coloquium, the National Association of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), University of Ibadan adopted Things Fall Apart as the book of the year 2008 in accordance with the “ one campus, one book per session project”.

Also Miss Faith Odele, President of NASELS hinted that the project aimed at promoting and encouraging the culture of reading. She noted: “ We have deemed it fit to encourage the university to adopt a book for each academic year. We expect that irrespective of departmental affliations, members of the university will read the specific book officially announced for each academic year.”
In his response, the DVC, Prof. Agbaje described that celebration as a welcome development. He added that the entire University community was happy that Things Fall Apart is not just being celebrated by the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka or Association of Nigerian Authors, but by the entire country and indeed the globe.

“We are happy that this is happening in the interest of our young people who have very little idea of the greatness of Nigeria in the past. It is important that they are reminded in this kind of celebration. We really hope that we will continue to celebrate those Nigerians who have excelled, those Nigerians who have taken Nigeria’s name into the global arena. We do hope that this celebration will motivate our youths to seek for things that will excell them instead of engaging in crime because of material wealth.”
On how the university was proud to have produced Achebe, Agbaje said: “We know that some of our greatest products, are those who have come out from the Faculty of Arts whether you are talking about Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka among many others. We believe that for a well rounded development, we must take not only the Sciences but the Arts along. That is the only way we can continue to be of relevance in the academic community,’

The DVC also called on the Nigerian youths to emulate the likes of Chinua Achebe who impacted positively on the history of mankind.

Also, acting Head, Department of English, Dr M.A Alo said Achebe’s contribution to Literature cannot be quantified.He stated that his distinctiveness arose from the use of language and indigenous style in Things Fall Apart gives it its thematic and ideological richness. This universal thematic concern makes it very relevant to mankind, he said.

Alo, therefore, pledged that the intellectual community in Nigeria would continue to put Achebe and his works in the social and intellectual tracks in this generation and many more generations to come.
In his presentation, Emeritus Professor, Dan Izevbaye described Things Fall Apart as one of the most enduring fruits by an alumnus of the University of Ibadan.

He explained that this was “symbolic of the synthesis of world view represented by the University College, Ibadan (UCI) experience, … it is through the University College that the meaning of the colonial experience in its fictional method especially in its eclectic approach to its very intellectual feast of sources as well as its ideological project.

Also, Dr Obododinma Oha, a lecturer in the Department of English, University of Ibadan described the event as an exciting intellectual feast where notable scholars gathered to share their views. Oha said Achebe’s contribution is not just to African Literature but to World Literature, adding that the book is argument-generating.

As side attractions to the event, a performance of Things Fall Apart was staged by the children, featuring Gbolahan Odebowale, Iwalewa Olorunyomi, (Yoruba edition), Ogo-Oluwa Dahunsi, Yombo Raji-Oyelade and Tosin Adesanya. It was directed by Dr. Chuks Okoye and arranged by Rotimi Babatunde.
Other speakers at the event were Dr. Nelson Fasina of English Department, Dr. Matthew Umukoro, Dr. Lanre Bamidele both from the Department of Theatre Arts, Mr. Nigel, Department of Classics and Prof. Dele Layiwola, Director, Institute of African Studies.