PROF. BARTHO OKOLO'S TRIBUTE TO CHINUA ACHEBE
A Beacon of light that drew people to UNN
Management, staff and students of the University of Nigeria mourn with deep sadness and sense of immense loss the demise of a distinguished member of the UNN family, Prof Chinualumogu Albert Achebe.
Prof Achebe was one of the academic titans whose presence on the faculty served as a beacon of light that drew the world to the University of Nigeria. He taught in the Department of English as well as carried out research at the Institute of African Studies.
After the epochal Things Fall Apart that gave a voice to African literature and its people, Achebe continued hi s pioneering endeavours with the founding of Okike, a foremost journal of African literature that birthed the careers of many a distinguished writer. His work in leading research into the cultures of the Igbo and various groups in the Institute of African Studies further cemented the reputation of the University of Nigeria as a centre of liberal learning in the best traditions. Achebe in his work gave to the language, culture and
people of Igbo land a universality that positioned it as one of the major ethnic groups of human civilisation.
The University of Nigeria commiserates with his family, the global literary and academic communities and all mankind on the loss of our distinguished former faculty member. Flags in the university will fly at half-mast while UNN will unfold a programme to honour Achebe and would be privileged to partake in all activities aimed at honouring this truly distinguished giant and contributor to the human race.
Management, staff and students of the University of Nigeria mourn with deep sadness and sense of immense loss the demise of a distinguished member of the UNN family, Prof Chinualumogu Albert Achebe.
Prof Achebe was one of the academic titans whose presence on the faculty served as a beacon of light that drew the world to the University of Nigeria. He taught in the Department of English as well as carried out research at the Institute of African Studies.
After the epochal Things Fall Apart that gave a voice to African literature and its people, Achebe continued hi s pioneering endeavours with the founding of Okike, a foremost journal of African literature that birthed the careers of many a distinguished writer. His work in leading research into the cultures of the Igbo and various groups in the Institute of African Studies further cemented the reputation of the University of Nigeria as a centre of liberal learning in the best traditions. Achebe in his work gave to the language, culture and
people of Igbo land a universality that positioned it as one of the major ethnic groups of human civilisation.
The University of Nigeria commiserates with his family, the global literary and academic communities and all mankind on the loss of our distinguished former faculty member. Flags in the university will fly at half-mast while UNN will unfold a programme to honour Achebe and would be privileged to partake in all activities aimed at honouring this truly distinguished giant and contributor to the human race.
Prof Bartho N. Okolo
Vice Chancellor
Achebe
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