Anambra Govt Denies Funding Chinua Achebe Statue

The Anambra State Government has clarified that the recently unveiled statue of renowned Nigerian literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, in Ogidi was neither conceived nor financed by the state government.

According to Ireporter Online, the clarification follows widespread reactions that greeted the unveiling of the monument at the Ugwu-Nwasike Roundabout by Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Saturday. While many applauded the initiative, others questioned the statue’s resemblance to the late author of Things Fall Apart, sparking debate across social media.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Ejimofor Opara, explained that the project was initiated, funded and executed entirely by the Ogidi Town Union, Achebe’s hometown community. He noted that Governor Soludo was invited solely to perform the official unveiling in recognition of Achebe’s enduring contributions to Anambra State, Nigeria and the global literary community.

Opara dismissed suggestions that the state government was responsible for the monument and urged members of the public not to reduce the community’s effort to online controversy. He described the project as a meaningful tribute by Achebe’s people, deserving of appreciation rather than criticism over the sculptor’s artistic interpretation.

He further revealed that the monument extends beyond the sculpture itself, featuring engraved excerpts from Achebe’s celebrated literary works, including Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God and No Longer at Ease. According to him, the inscriptions ensure that visitors appreciate the literary giant’s timeless ideas and legacy, regardless of differing opinions about the statue’s appearance.

Opara also stressed that the significance of the monument lies in what it represents rather than whether it perfectly captures Achebe’s physical likeness. He argued that monuments should be valued for the ideals and history they preserve instead of artistic perfection.

The governor’s aide recalled that the Soludo administration had previously immortalised Achebe by renaming the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport after him in 2023. He added that the literary legend is also among five prominent Anambra personalities honoured with statues at the entrance of the Light House in Awka.

He congratulated the Ogidi Town Union, the Achebe family and everyone involved in the successful execution of the project, emphasizing that every genuine effort to preserve Achebe’s legacy deserves respect and recognition.