Chinua Achebe Rejects National Honour Award From Goodluck Jonathan

   Renowned Nigerian literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, has for the second time in seven years rejected an offer of a National Honor by the Nigerian government.


   Professor Achebe, globally recognized as one of the world’s most outstanding novelists and intellectuals, rejected the “national honor” in a terse statement.In a statement today, he said:
     “The reasons for rejecting the offer when it was first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again.”In 2004, in the letter in which he rejected the same honor, Achebe sent to President Olusegun Obasanjo the following, longer letter:



  

Quote

  “I write this letter with a very heavy heart. For some time now I have watched events in Nigeria with alarm and dismay. I have watched particularly the chaos in my own state of Anambra where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connections in high places, seems determined to turn my homeland into a bankrupt and lawless fiefdom.  I am appalled by the brazenness of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency.“Forty three years ago, at the first anniversary of Nigeria's independence I was given the first Nigerian National Trophy for Literature. In 1979, I received two further honors – the Nigerian National Order of Merit and the Order of the Federal Republic – and in 1999 the first National Creativity Award.“I accepted all these honors fully aware that Nigeria was not perfect; but I had a strong belief that we would outgrow our shortcomings under leaders committed to uniting our diverse peoples.  Nigeria's condition today under your watch is, however, too dangerous for silence. I must register my disappointment and protest by declining to accept the high honor awarded me in the 2004 Honors List”.

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Posted: at 13-11-2011 04:50 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero

na waooooo.. wahala dey!!!

Posted: at 13-11-2011 05:41 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

If only we had 10 dignified men that are upright in this our God forsaken country called Nigeria, God forsaken in-terms of leadership. Every new govt. wants to move this country forward with promises, but what actually moves forward are the people in power, thereby leaving the country they are moving forward behind without wheels and direction. the truth is that secret societies is destroying this country fast, 2face said so but people with a narrow mind of thinking doesn't understand, may God help and deliver this country. These past leaders should know that if a person like me happens to be a leader, any person who has in the past served under any governmental post will be killed and used as manure to plant trees in the streets in remembrance of their misappropriation of govt. funds.

Posted: at 13-11-2011 05:56 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie

Luvin Chinua any day any tym.

Posted: at 13-11-2011 06:04 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

thats great

Posted: at 13-11-2011 06:39 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

He is a man of class and i like that.

Posted: at 13-11-2011 07:05 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie

nor be small thing oooo

Posted: at 13-11-2011 07:12 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

DAT IS VERY GOOD SIR,

Posted: at 13-11-2011 07:27 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie

A rare gem

Posted: at 13-11-2011 07:41 PM (12 years ago) | Grande Master

this is what we are talking about, action

Posted: at 13-11-2011 08:47 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac