Name national library after Achebe – Reps

Chinua Achebe

The House of Representatives on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to immortalise the late Prof. Chinua Achebe by naming the National Library after him.

The House also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the literary icon and condoled with his family over his death.

Achebe had died in Boston, United States of America, on Thursday last week at the age of 82.

The House resolution followed a motion by the lawmaker representing Idemili-North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Mr. Charles Odedo.

Odedo, in the motion, "Tribute to Prof. Chinua Achebe”, said that the late novelist and poet, contributed immensely to education and the development African literature in his lifetime.

He noted that his 1958 novel, "Things Fall Apart”, brought Nigeria fame by "attaining worldwide recognition.”

Odedo added, "We urge the Federal Government to name the National Library under construction after Achebe or any other national monument.”

Odedo drew attention to one of Achebe’s books, "The Trouble with Nigeria”, saying that it identified "bad leadership and bad governance as the problem with Nigeria.”

A member from Kano State, Mr. Ali Madaki, described Achebe as the "best novelist Nigeria has ever produced.”

He, however, expressed concern that Nigeria sought to acknowledge the achievements of its people only after they were dead.

Prof. Chudi Uwazuruike (Imo State),Mr. Toby Okechukwu (Enugu State), Ms. Nnena Ukeje (Abia State) and Mr. Bimbo Daramola (Ekiti State), all praised Achebe for his contributions to nation-building.

Lawmakers passed another motion, calling on the Federal Ministry of Works to construct a flyover and a pedestrian bride across the Lagos-Benin Road "in the accident flash point of Ore Junction, Ondo State.”

The sponsor of the motion, Mr. Akintoye Albert, told the House that the Ore junction was a busy portion of the road where fatal accidents occurred throughout the year.

"The series of accidents on the road have led to the loss of many lives and property worth billions of naira.

"The loss of many man-hours caused by the delays in vehicular movement also has negative consequences for businessmen and other road users”, he added.

The two motions received unanimous endorsement from lawmakers.