New York Senate Passes Resolution On Chinua Achebe

J1186-2013: LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION Mourning The Death Of Paramount Novelist Chinua Achebe, Founder And Pioneer Of African literature

 

 A Nigerian National Newspaper Reports
Achebe's Passing (pix:Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye (2013))
 
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the lives of those esteemed individuals of international renown who distinguished themselves through their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Foremost novelist, Professor Chinua Achebe, died on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at the age of 82; and 
WHEREAS, Born Albert Chinualumogu Achebe, on November 16, 1930,
Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic; he was
best known for his 1958 novel, THINGS FALL APART, selling over 12 
million copies around the world, and having been translated into 50 languages, 
 making him the most paraphrased African writer of all time; and

WHEREAS, Raised by his parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern
Nigeria, Chinua Achebe excelled academically and earned a scholar ship for 
undergraduate studies; he became fascinated with world religions and traditional
African cultures, and began writing stories as a college student; and


WHEREAS, After graduation, Chinua Achebe worked for the Nigerian
  Broadcasting Service (NBS) and soon moved to the metropolis of
 Lagos; he gained worldwide  attention for THINGS FALL APART;
  his later novels  include: NO LONGER AT EASE (1960), ARROW OF
GOD (1964), A MAN OF THE PEOPLE (1966), and ANTHILLS OF
THE SAVANNAH (1987); and
 WHEREAS, When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, 
Chinua Achebe became  a supporter of Biafran independence and
acted as  ambassador for the people of the new nation; the war ravaged
  the populace, and as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed
to the people of Europe and the Americas for assistance; and
WHEREAS, When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970,
Chinua Achebe involved himself in political parties, but soon resigned 
due to frustration over the   corruption and elitism he witnessed, thereby
deciding  to devote himself to academia; he lived in the United States for 
several years in the 1970s, and returned there  in 1990 after a car accident
left him partially disabled; and 
WHEREAS, Chinua Achebe's novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society,
the effect of Christian influences, and the  clash of Western and traditional 
African values during  and after the colonial era; his style relies heavily on the Igbo oral  tradition, and combines straightforward   narration with 
representations of  folk stories, proverbs, and oratory; he also published a
number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections; and

WHEREAS, A David and Marianna Fisher  University   Professor and  

Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University, Chinua Achebe worked up
until the time of  his death; and 
WHEREAS, New York's Bard College, with a distinguished history of
supporting Chinua Achebe's work and legacy, will continue to be a primary
home for his projects; and 
WHEREAS, Professor Achebe's global significance lies not only in his talent
and recognition as a writer, but also as a critical thinker and essayist who has
written extensively on questions of the role of culture in Africa along with the
social  and political significance of aesthetics and analysis of the postcolonial
state in Africa; and 
WHEREAS, Chinua Achebe distinguished himself in his profession and by 
his sincere dedication and substantial  contribution to the welfare of his
community; and 
WHEREAS, Chinua Achebe's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of  enterprise, including charitable
 and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Chinua Achebe is survived by his wife, Christie,  their children,
Chinelo, Ikechukwu, Chidi, and Nwando as  well as his grandchildren, Chochi,
Chino, Chidera, C.J. (Chinua Jr.), Nnamdi and Zeal; and 
WHEREAS, Armed   with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of 
compassion, Chinua Achebe leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served
and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn
the death of paramount novelist  Chinua Achebe, founder and pioneer of
African literature; and be it further 
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Chinua Achebe.

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