By Adadareporters
The governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo, Sunday, described Nigeria’s 63 years after independence as ‘squandered opportunities’.
He stated this during the Independence Day parade in Awka. He however expressed hopes that Nigeria’s ‘great potentials’ are realisable.
In his words, “We have muddled through the past 63 years with squandered opportunities and yet with the promise of potential greatness. No country or nation is perfect. Every nation continues to struggle in its match to a more perfect union. The path to stability, growth and sustainability will be challenging as there are no quick fixes.
“But all of us must collectively think and work Nigeria out of the current challenges. We have no other country but Nigeria, and we must make it to work for everyone.”
Soludo, during the occasion, announced the renaming of the Anambra State International Passenger and Cargo Airport after foremost black writer, Professor Chinua Achebe, whom he described as an example of Africa’s ‘unsung hero’.
He stated, “Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, gave the African literature an identity and a voice and he rightly reconstructed and refined the identify of the people.”
Soludo said Achebe represents not only a Nigerian hero, but an African and global hero, adding that his administration would henceforth fish out her unsung heroes to celebrate to serve as role models to children and youths.
Quoting him, “Unfortunately, some people wrongly think of legacies in terms of brick and mortar. Legacy is about impact on human lives and human civilisation.
“Achebe was not a president or governor or military. He did not build bridges or roads or airports but he will outlive most presidents, governors and ministers in our minds. Achebe rejected Nigeria’s national honours twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state Anambra. Today, Anambra will finally honour him.
“After wide consultations, there is a broad consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe.
“Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.
“It has to be an international airport, and we hope to work with the Federal Government to give full effect to its international status.”
