Anambra State Government Clarifies Origin of Chinua Achebe Statue in Ogidi
The Anambra State Government has clarified that the newly unveiled statue of renowned literary figure Chinua Achebe, located at Ugwu Nwasike Roundabout in Ogidi, was entirely conceived, financed, and built by the Ogidi Towns Association. This statement comes in response to claims suggesting it was a state government initiative.
The clarification arises amid a wave of reactions on social media following the unveiling ceremony attended by Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Saturday. While some users expressed admiration for the monument, others raised concerns over its resemblance to Achebe, criticizing the artistic interpretation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr. Ejimofor Opara, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, emphasized that the project was initiated and fully funded by the local community honoring Achebe.
“It seems there is a common misunderstanding that the statue of our country’s literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe, was commissioned by the Anambra State government,” Opara stated. “To clarify, this statue was entirely the brainchild of the Achebe community and the Ogidi Town Federation. Governor Chukwuma Soludo was invited to the unveiling to honor Achebe’s significant legacy and its importance to Ndi Anambra and the global literary community,” he added.
Opara urged critics not to undermine what he described as a meaningful initiative by the community. “We should not diminish this heartfelt tribute by the Ogidi people for the sake of social media engagement. The community’s decision to commemorate their illustrious son is both profound and commendable, and debates over the sculptor’s interpretation are unnecessary,” he remarked.
He further highlighted that beyond the statue itself, the monument is adorned with quotes from some of Achebe’s seminal works, including “Things Fall Apart,” “Arrow of God,” and “No Longer at Ease,” thus preserving the legacy of this literary icon.
“Visitors to this monument will find clear reflections of how deeply Achebe is esteemed. The statue’s pedestal is meticulously inscribed with excerpts from his literary masterpieces. Even if one were to overlook the likeness, the essence of the ideas he championed remains strikingly apparent,” Opara stated. He urged the public to focus on the monument’s symbolism rather than getting distracted by its artistic precision.
“The ongoing discussions around whether the statue is ‘picture perfect’ distract from the meaningfulness of this symbolic endeavor. Its significance lies in what it represents,” he asserted. “Our reverence for representations of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints is not based on artistic accuracy, but on what these images symbolize. The same reverence should be afforded to Achebe’s memorial,” he concluded.
In addition, Opara recalled that in 2023, the Soludo administration honored Achebe by renaming the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport after him. He also mentioned that Achebe will be among five distinguished individuals from Anambra who will be commemorated with statues at the entrance of the Awka lighthouse.
“The message is unequivocal: If we honor Achebe, we must also respect the sincere tributes established in his name. We extend our congratulations to the Ogidi Town Association, the Achebe family, and everyone involved in making this tribute a reality,” the statement concluded.
