by Rachel Ogbu

Iconic figure and novelist Chinua Achebe, whose final burial is taking place today Thursday May 23, has received a great deal of tributes to usher him to his final resting place in his village, Ikenga Ogidi, in Anambra state.

Thousands of people gathered yesterday to pay more tribute at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, celebrating the literary icon at the Celebration of Life programme organised by the Anambra State Government.

[READ: #RIPChinuaAchebe: Renowned writer, Chinua Achebe’s body arrive Abuja (PHOTOS) ]

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, urged young people to emulate Achebe.

Rev. Andrew Willer, who represented the head of the Anglican Church worldwide said: “Pick up the torch which he carried. Study your people with wisdom, insight and depth and come out with the resolution of their problems.”

On behalf of the Senate President, David Mark, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, said Achebe lived an exemplary life and his death was a huge loss to Africa.

Governor Peter Obi said, “Achebe lived his life. He followed the path of good life, and we are left to start our own life based on that path.”

Also the Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Boniface Egboka, urged the Federal Government and Anambra State Government to name an educational institution after Achebe, the Punch Newspaper reports.

He said to immortalise Achebe, the university had introduced an annual lecture series because Achebe was indeed the father of African literature.

From Achebe’s Alma-Ata, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said he, remained “the foremost father of African literature. He continues to live not only in our minds but in his works.”

The Punch reports:

In its tribute, the Association of Nigeria Authors, praised Achebe for reviving ANA, saying the association was celebrating “the mortality and immortality of a true legend.”

Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, a contemporary of Achebe, said Achebe, like most literary legends the country had produced, was a product of public education. He, therefore, urged governments to do something to revive public schools.

The VC, Anambra State University, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, said Achebe was among those who fought hard to restore the dignity and identity of the African.

Former Managing Director of the World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili,said, “Achebe was one of the figures that my father told me represented the dignity of the Igbo person.”

The highpoint of the occasion was when Chief Chike Momah, who was Achebe’s secondary school mate and bestman, spoke of the brilliance and elusiveness of Achebe.