The apex Igbo sociopolitical group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has welcomed the naming of a road in Abuja after the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe.
The group also commended the Federal Government for deeming it fit to honour him.
The Vice-President (South-East), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Vincent Afam, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, however, expressed sadness, that “bad governance, corruption, looting, lack of respect for the rule of law, hunger and oppression” which the late literary icon stood and fought against, had not been addressed, 11 years after his death.
Afam said, “Naming a road in Abuja after Achebe is a welcome development, this is because the late literary icon brought global recognition to the country through literature.
“The honour is long overdue because such persons are the ones highly deserving of national emoluments named after them for future generations to appreciate.
“However, it is also appalling that bad governance, corruption, lack of respect for the rule of law, hunger and oppression that the late novelist stood and fought against have remained unaddressed 11 years after his death. The worsening state of the country is totally worrisome and unacceptable.
“Achebe was a man of honour and integrity, we wonder if he would have accepted the honour, judging the increasing state of decadence and rot in every facet of our public life today, especially as it relates to leadership and governance.
“Don’t forget, it was on that basis that he rejected a similar national honour from the Goodluck Jonathan administration and, unfortunately, the things that made him reject the honour as of then are still greatly manifesting and the country is currently in a worrisome situation.
“The Federal Government should stop playing to the gallery and channel its energy to meaningful development. There are lots of things begging for attention and enough frivolities.”
