Life as a young boy growing in Enugu, Eastern Nigeria was pretty enthralling – be it at home, school, lessons (when I was less naughty), with young friends, neighbours, schoolmates, Boys' Brigade, etc. As far back as then, one name kept ringing an incessant bell…that name was, and still is, Chinua Achebe. I don't know the reason for the fame, but I was all too sure it was for something crucial. Quite unbelievably, I grew up to realise that the larger-than-life human was still alive, hale and hearty; at least as I grew very conscious of my environment. All the while, I had thought Prof. Achebe was a colossus of ages past.
On further growth and development on my part, as well as with advancement in schooling, I gradually began observing and imbibing the reasons why this giant was such a household name. I got acquainted with the super novels, Anthills of the Savannah, A Man of the People and of course, Things Fall Apart. The Nigerian Television Authority's adaptation of Things Fall Apart was a classic of its own. I still have some scenic memories of it – thanks to Achebe, and of course, the veteran master actor- Chief Pete Edochie. I vividly recall as a young boy in elementary school, I was growing up watching Things Fall Apart on NTA. To me, it was one of the most engaging programmes on TV- so arresting I'd shelve any other activity when it was on air. That was the extent to which Achebe's typical work captivated me.
As I grew, my interest in this story-teller grew proportionately. I started reading more of his books – the novels, poems, critiques and commentaries. His writings are proof that Prof. Achebe, just like the simple mien he exudes, had a simple, but highly inimitable manner of writing. He wrote with an exclusive simplicity – in a manner that promotes the most important tenet of language (speaking and writing)- communication. He never did believe in 'big' words, writing to impress like some of his peers, but preached and practised writing to express. This in turn aids and advances the core essence of communication. His writings were always for a purpose and always on point. He never belonged to the league of those who talk/write just so their voices could be heard. He belonged to his own unique class and acted as such.
In a country with every form of tribalism/ethnicism, nepotism, hate, envy, greed, corruption of unimaginable magnitudes, etc., Achebe's noted critique – The Trouble With Nigeria – remains one of the most formidable, enduring materials for those who want to foster their understanding of the Nigerian situation, its complexities, oddities and the forces responsible for the toddler Nigeria has been since 1960. It remains Nigeria's most enduring critique containing certain pertinent solutions for those honest and willing enough to pursue change in a positive direction.
Achebe was a trailblazer in African Literature. In Mandela's words, he was the author "in whose company the prison walls came down". I have had cause on several moments to meditate on that clause and finalised that he (Mandela) literally meant he felt free while in bondage reading Achebe's books. In Mandela's words again, "Achebe brought Africa to the world." He showcased Africa; he proved beyond reasonable doubt that a typical African can sit back, and put together words, phrases and clauses that make profound sense and meaning. Indeed, Achebe bravely arose when many stories were being written by about Africans, but not by Africans, hence the master's words that, "Until the lion begins to write its own stories, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter." What magic! Sheer class! Achebe had a knack for idioms and proverbs and that placed his works on an astronomical level.
I find it needless to flog the issue of "The Father of African Literature" title. It is a futile exercise. It is one that will involve loads of emotions, sentiments, envy, pride and feelings from virtually all angles. Every sort of sentiments and sensations must come into play when most people, including some of his fellow colleagues, are posed such questions. But suffice to say that Achebe was 'Africa's first', the trailblazer and trendsetter. He opened the cast-iron gates, and in the process made fellow Africans believe in themselves, write like they never did, ultimately emerge onto the world stage and live their dreams. I think this is perhaps the greatest accomplishment of Prof. Chinua Achebe, and certainly by any African writer. In Jacob Zuma's (South Africa's sitting president) words, "Prof. Chinua Achebe remains Africa's greatest literary export."
Hailing Achebe as the Father of African Literature is very well-deserved. In Achebe's case, I maintain such remarks are made out of reason than emotion. In those who attribute it to 'literary ignorance' and/or 'momentary exuberance', I vehemently perceive strong tinges of envy in very veiled forms – forms that could pass as abstract, but which only very discerning eyes and minds can see and decipher. In truth, Achebe remains Africa's greatest literary tree. He made me believe to some reasonable degree that a tree could actually make, and pass for, a forest.
For goodness sake, how else do you describe a man who wrote a classic at about 26 years of age? Now, that's genius! He remains the only writer to be listed on Everyman's Library while still alive. Achebe displayed tremendous management and leadership skills in founding and establishing the African Writers' Series and much later, the Association of Nigerian Authors.
Achebe's classic, his magnum opus – Things Fall Apart- is the most sold and the most read African book, and is regarded as a milestone in African literature. It is now seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English, widely read in Nigeria, throughout Africa, studied widely in Europe and North America, where it has yielded innumerable secondary and tertiary analytical works; it has also achieved similar status and repute in India, Australia and Oceania. Time Magazine included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005. The novel has been translated into more than 50 languages, and is often used in literature, world history and African studies courses across the world.
Most impressively, the novel sits comfortably amongst the top 30 most translated books in the history of mankind, alongside eternal classics such as The Bible and Qur'an. What more can be said of such a man?
Men of goodwill will miss you, Prof., but thanks to The Most High, you still live through your works and words. Ga n'udo!
Adieu Legend! Adieu Icon!! Adieu Literary Titan!!!
Rest in peace, Prof. Albert Chinualumogu Achebe!
- Obodozie wrote from Dubai, United Arab Emirates via iykedarry_j@yahoo.com
