Prof Chukwuma Soludo, the Anambra State Governor has announced that the Anambra International Airport will be renamed after late literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe.
Governor Soludo had made this revelation during the Independence Day celebration at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.
Soludo had remarked that it was gratifying that a good number of those who contributed to the independence of Nigeria in 1960, have had different degrees of projects named after them.
According to Soludo, he had observed that almost all public projects had been named after public office holders. As a result, he had concluded that his government would deviate from the norm to recognize Achebe by naming the Anambra Airport after him.
“My administration will be deliberate in fishing out and celebrating our majorly unsung heroes, so that they can serve as motivation to our children and youths in terms of what truly matters.”
“An example of Africa’s unsung hero is the late Professor Albert Chinualumogu Achebe who had not been a President nor a Governor nor a Minister but he will outlive most presidents, governors or ministers because he gave African literature an identity and a voice.”
“Truly, he had not been an Anambra hero, nor a Nigerian hero but an African and global hero, yet he is largely uncelebrated at home.
“Therefore, to this effect, the Passenger Airport in Umueri, will be renamed to CHINUA ACHEBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, UMUERI. We hope to work with the Federal Government to grant us full effect to its international status.” Soludo had concluded.
