RBC Pays Tribute to Chinua Achebe

The Rainbow Book Club in partnership with the British Council Port Harcourt, organised a tribute evening in honour of the late  Prof. Chinua Achebe on the 26th of April 2013 at the Council Office. Read the report below.

The evening began with opening remark s by Ms. Ijeoma Agruba,  the Centre Manager of the Council Office in Port Harcourt; this was followed by  a reading of Achebe’s biography by Mrs. Judy Nwanodi, a trustee of the Rainbow Book.  Gabriel Okara, celebrated poet and author, set the tone for the tributes with his moving tribute on Achebe whom he said was not dead but lived on in his work.

“Why We Love Things Fall Apart"--an open discussion on why the classic is held in such high regard was coordinated by PEN. Here people shared their favourite characters, scenes and proverbs in a book widely believed to have changed the way African literature was viewed by the rest of the world.

The beauty and simplicity of the language in Things Fall Apart with its proverbs and vivid imagery; the characters like Okonkwo--who rises above adversity against all odds; the book’s unique title; and the book's ability to yield itself to different age groups of readers, were all part of the reasons why TFA has endeared its self to generations .

The tributes continued with people sharing with the audience, different  Chinua Achebe books and poems they love. The founder of Rainbow Book Club, Mrs. Koko kalango  also delivered a moving tribute on Achebe who was an Honourary member of the club. Mrs Kalango told the audience how Achebe had supported the club's events including what was to be his last outing in Nigeria, when he delivered the keynote address at the 2011 Garden City Literary Festival. 

A one-minute silence was observed in honour of Late. Prof. Chinualumogu Achebe and this was followed by the signing of a condolence register, after which group photographs were taken.

--This report was sent in by Ucheoma Nwabunike