Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 polls, has applauded Gov Charles Chukwuma Soludo, of Anambra state for renaming the state’s International Passenger and Cargo Airport after the late Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe.
Soludo renamed the airport on Sunday in Awka at the Independence Day parade to mark Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary, describing Achebe as an example of Africa’s unsung hero, not just to Anambra or Nigeria.
Reacting to this, Peter Obi, in a statement via X, said the move is a most delightful and welcome development, stressing that Achebe deserves all the honour that the state and nation can bestow.
The former Governor of Anambra State added that Soludo’s decision aligns with the state government practice of naming public institutions after heroes of Nigeria and outstanding citizens.
He wrote: “The renaming of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport to Chinua Achebe International Airport, is a most delightful and welcome development. The late literary icon deserves all the honour that the state and the nation can bestow.
“Chinua Achebe’s towering stature as a global literary pioneer and icon is deserving of such recognition. I congratulate the Achebe Family for the bestowed honour and Kudos to the Governor of Anambra State, HE Prof. Charles Soludo, for the timely and fitting decision, which is consistent with extant best practices. This latest gesture is in line with the practice of the state government naming our public institutions after our heroes and outstanding citizens.
“Examples include the public arena named after the former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme Square; the Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University, the State Library named after Prof. Kenneth Dike and the science block at CKC Onitsha named the Prof. Chike Obi Building.
“The latest gesture is also consistent with Achebe’s exhortation that we must, of necessity, tell our own stories. By telling his own story so well, Achebe also told the Anambra and Nigerian stories, hence this most befitting memorial.”
