It was double celebration for Chinua Achebe’s popular novel Things Fall Apart recently as the English department of the University of Ibadan led others to organise events under the theme: The Significance of Things Fall Apart to World Literature.

The latter, which held on Thursday, April 17, was trailed by another as members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), took over Ibadan from morning till night on Saturday, April 19, with a programme tagged: Telling the World the African Story.

From the symposium which held at the Faculty of Arts Theatre hall to the luncheon at Trenchard Hall, as well as the staging of Biyi Bandele’s adaptation of Things Fall Apart at Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan, there was no dull moment.
At the symposium, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Adigun Agbaje, represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Bamiro as chairman of the occasion, while people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate Things Fall Apart and its author, Chinua Achebe who was also founding President of ANA.

In the words of the National President of ANA, Dr. Wale Okediran, on June 14, 1958, Chinua Achebe who was then 28 year-old and a staff of Nigerian Broadcasting Corporartion published a book which he (Achebe) felt may not be of much significance but to the surprise of everyone, the book now has become a world class phenomenon and is currently being celebrated the world over.
Okediran added that the demands from various sections in the country made ANA to celebrate Things Fall Apart at different venues across the country.

In his remarks, Dayo Omotosho, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Oyo State government, who represented Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala said the honour Achebe receives from the entire world is greater than any award.

He expressed gratitude to God for what the writer has done for Nigeria through writers like Achebe and prayed for the author to live long and continue to impact lives.

Speaking, the Eze Ndigbo Community in Oyo State, Dr. Alex Anozie, enjoined Nigerians to celebrate their heroes irrespective of ethnic background. Anozie said he was excited about Achebe’s celebration even as he commended ANA with a pledge to carry the good news to the people of how their industrious son was honoured.

In his lead paper entitled, Nothing Fell Apart: Irony and the surprise of order in Things Fall Apart, Professor J.O.J. Nwachukwu-Agbada of Abia State University, Uturu, stated that there is no major incident, image, character, style or action which does not score an irony or is averted to it in the book, Things Fall Apart.

He observed that even the title of the novel has not been spared of the ironic twist. His words; “Nothing indeed fell apart! Apart from the surprise of order and integrity which things enjoy, the falling apart of ‘things’ in Umuofia ought to have been expected. It is always expected that old order changes, giving rise to new. That is in the affairs of human kind. A stronger cultural force will always sweep aside a weaker, uncoordinated one, particularly if no provisions on how to ensure continued stability had been made.”

Nwachukwu-Agbada is of the view that what seems to be crucial in the handling of irony is the technical use of the device by Achebe. “ Firstly, it is used as a rhetorical device to make meaning more memorable. Secondly, it is employed to attack the point of view which holds that if one says yes, his chi says yes also. Thirdly, Achebe employs these ironic modes to expose follies on both sides-Umuofians and Europeans.”

He explained further that irony is used to impose some patterns on the chaos of the flux thrown up in the wake of the coming of an intrusive but powerful foreign power adding the author leads his readers to discover on their own that things are not simple or certain or so much assured as they may seem to appear on the surface.

Explained Nwachukwu-Agbada: “For instance, the same society that reveres achievement also frowns at the high mindedness that goes with success; the same society that encourages manliness honours mothers and maternal homes and accepts a woman as the chief acolyte of their major god. Little wonder then that at the end of the novel, one experiences a calm but surprising feeling of-to quote Samuel Clark- “ The eternal fitness of things.”

Also presenting a paper entitled, A womanist view of Ekwefi And Ezinma in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Miss Temitayo Ajayi said the novel reminds Nigerians of their heritage.
She explained that the world of Things Fall Apart is one in which patriarchy intrudes oppressively into every sphere of existence, adding “ It is an androcentric world where the man is everything and the woman is nothing. In domestic terms, women are qualified as part of men’s acquisitions. As wives, women come in multiple numbers, sandwiched between yam barns and titles.”

Ajayi concluded that the characters of Ekwefi and Ezinma represent womanism ideology whose lives are not just affected by whims of their father or husbands but as women who affect the men in their lives.
Speaking, Dr. Nelson Fashina of Department of English reminded that Things Fall Apart was produced when Achebe was a student. He, therefore, challenged students to learn how to write well adding that if Achebe could write a masterpiece in his time, the students too should write in today’s computer age if they so desire.

For Dr. Tony Marinho, Achebe’s work has provoked the question, “Where do we go from here.” He went further “We talk about white people translating Things fall Apart that gives it a global fame, what have we done to make it a local phenomenon? He recommended that there should be a regular local command performance during which one could celebrate indigenous works.
Also in attendance was Mr. Dickson Ighere Editor, Sunday Tribune who represented MD/Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian Tribune.

During the luncheon, Chairman on the occasion, Chief Aigboje Higo and Prof Femi Osofisan, reiterated the essence of Things Fall Apart. Osofisan, in his usual manner kept the place warm with his exciting story of drummers.

As a boost to the celebration, Biyi Bandele’s adaptation of Things Fall Apart by the Jos Repertory Theatre was staged at the Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan. It was encouraging to see the large theatre of about 15,000 seats occupied by guests who came from far and near.

The play started from the last scene and ended on the same scene where Okonkwo, the main character committs suicide after killing a native, who works for the whiteman.

The play centred on Okonkwo and ended with him. As the play unfolded, Ikemefuna, a young boy is introduced into the family of Okonkwo. Okonkwo loves him and takes him whereever he goes. In return, usually the boy calls him father. He plays with Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son and works with him too.
All goes well until Okonkwo goes against the advise of the eldest man in the village who warns him against taking part in the killing of Ikemefuna, who the elders had planned to use as sacrifice. Okonkwo gives the last blow that kills the boy because of pride and ego. From then on, every step he takes led him to his tragic end. Somewhat possessed with violence, he mistakenly shot his towns man. He is banished for seven years. After his return, he kills another with a matchet. All these culminate in a climax as Okonkwo eventually commits suicide.

On the whole, the presentation kept to time and also had a smooth tempo. It was interesting and the theatre was elevated. At the end of the day, everyone expressed satisfaction for the good performance and wished ANA to continue its good work.