The New York Senate in Albany has adopted a resolution honoring Professor Chinua Achebe, who died on March 21, as part of its tradition of paying tribute to the lives of those esteemed individuals of international renown who distinguished themselves through their life’s work.<\/p>\n
The legislative body highlighted Achebe\u2019s life of writing and dedication to excellence, including working up until the time of his death as David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies\u00a0 at Brown University<\/p>\n
The resolution also indicated that New York’s Bard College, where the famous writer worked before moving to Brown University, will continue to be a primary home for his projects.<\/p>\n
Also in Washington DC, Mayor Vincent C. Gray has paid tribute to Professor Achebe.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlong with the District\u2019s African community and the entire world, I grieve the passing of Chinua Achebe,\u201d he said. \u201cHis respected legacy will be the young writers he inspires to tell their stories for future generations to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Text of the resolution by the Senate of New York:<\/p>\n
J1186-2013: Mourning the death of paramount novelist Chinua Achebe, founder and pioneer of African literature<\/p>\n
Same as: \/ Versions: J1186-2013Sponsor: PARKER Law Section: Resolutions, Legislative Sponsor: Parker J1186-2013 Actions
\nApr 10, 2013:J1186-2013 Text
\nLEGISLATIVE\u00a0 RESOLUTION\u00a0 mourning the death of paramount novelist Chinua\u00a0 Achebe, founder and pioneer of African literature<\/p>\n
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to\u00a0 the\u00a0 lives\u00a0 of those esteemed individuals of international renown who distinguished themselves through their life’s work; and\u00a0 WHEREAS, Foremost novelist, Professor Chinua Achebe, died on Thursday,
\nMarch 21, 2013, at the age of 82; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS, Born Albert Chinualumogu Achebe, on November 16, 1930, Chinua\u00a0 Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic; he was best\u00a0 known for his 1958 novel, THINGS FALL APART,\u00a0 selling\u00a0 over\u00a0 12\u00a0 million\u00a0 copies\u00a0 around\u00a0 the world, and having been translated into 50 languages,\u00a0 making him the most paraphrased African writer of all time; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS, Raised by his parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria, Chinua Achebe excelled academically and earned\u00a0 a\u00a0 scholar
\nship\u00a0 for\u00a0 undergraduate\u00a0 studies; he became fascinated with world religions and traditional African cultures, and began writing stories\u00a0 as\u00a0 a
\ncollege student; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS,\u00a0 After\u00a0 graduation,\u00a0 Chinua\u00a0 Achebe\u00a0 worked\u00a0 for the Nigerian\u00a0 Broadcasting Service (NBS) and soon moved to the metropolis of Lagos; he\u00a0 gained worldwide attention for\u00a0 THINGS\u00a0 FALL\u00a0 APART;\u00a0 his\u00a0 later\u00a0 novels\u00a0 include:\u00a0 NO\u00a0 LONGER\u00a0 AT\u00a0 EASE (1960), ARROW OF GOD (1964), A MAN OF THE\u00a0 PEOPLE (1966), and ANTHILLS OF THE SAVANNAH (1987); and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS, When the region of Biafra broke away from\u00a0 Nigeria\u00a0 in\u00a0 1967,\u00a0 Chinua\u00a0 Achebe\u00a0 became\u00a0 a supporter of Biafran independence and acted as\u00a0 ambassador for the people of the new nation; the war ravaged\u00a0 the\u00a0 populace,\u00a0 and\u00a0 as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed to the\u00a0 people of Europe and the Americas for assistance; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS, When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970, Chinua Achebe involved himself in political parties, but soon\u00a0 resigned\u00a0 due\u00a0 to\u00a0 frustration\u00a0 over\u00a0 the\u00a0 corruption and elitism he witnessed, thereby\u00a0 deciding to devote himself to academia; he lived in\u00a0 the\u00a0 United\u00a0 States
\nfor\u00a0 several\u00a0 years in the 1970s, and returned there in 1990 after a car\u00a0 accident left him partially disabled; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS, Chinua Achebe’s novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the\u00a0 clash\u00a0 of\u00a0 Western\u00a0 and
\ntraditional\u00a0 African values during and after the colonial era; his style\u00a0 relies heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines\u00a0 straightforward
\nnarration\u00a0 with\u00a0 representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory;\u00a0 he also published a number of short stories, children’s books, and essay
\ncollections; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS, A David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and\u00a0 Profesor\u00a0 of\u00a0 Africana\u00a0 Studies\u00a0 at Brown University, Chinua Achebe worked up\u00a0 until the time of his death; and
\nWHEREAS, New York’s Bard College,\u00a0 with\u00a0 a\u00a0 distinguished\u00a0 history\u00a0 of supporting Chinua Achebe’s work and legacy, will continue to be a primary home for his projects; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS,\u00a0 Professor\u00a0 Achebe’s global significance lies not only in his\u00a0 talent and recognition as a writer, but also as a critical\u00a0 thinker\u00a0 and
\nessayist who has written extensively on questions of the role of culture\u00a0 in Africa along with the social and political significance of aesthetics
\nand analysis of the postcolonial state in Africa; and\u00a0 WHEREAS,\u00a0 Chinua Achebe distinguished himself in his profession and by\u00a0 his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to\u00a0 the\u00a0 welfare\u00a0 of\u00a0 his community; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS,\u00a0 Chinua\u00a0 Achebe’s commitment to excellence, and his spirit of\u00a0 humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and civic endeavors; and<\/p>\n
WHEREAS,\u00a0 Chinua Achebe is survived by his wife, Christie, their children, Chinelo, Ikechukwu, Chidi, and Nwando as well\u00a0 as\u00a0 his\u00a0 grand children, Chochi, Chino, Chidera, C.J. (Chinua Jr.), Nnamdi and Zeal; and
\nWHEREAS,\u00a0 Armed\u00a0 with\u00a0 a\u00a0 humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of\u00a0 compassion, Chinua Achebe leaves behind a legacy which will long\u00a0 endure\u00a0 the\u00a0 passage\u00a0 of\u00a0 time\u00a0 and will remain as a comforting memory to all he\u00a0 served and befriended; now, therefore, be it<\/p>\n
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause\u00a0 in\u00a0 its\u00a0 deliberations\u00a0 to\u00a0 mourn the death of paramount novelist Chinua Achebe, founder and pioneer\u00a0 of African literature; and be it further\u00a0 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Chinua Achebe.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Culled From Sahara Reporters<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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