THERE WAS A MAN.

THERE WAS A MAN.

The literary world didn’t remain the same after the advent of this man; I believe it will never remain the same after his demise. He had this strong will and desire to tell a story; he put this zeal on the wheels, by telling our story. He championed our cause. He was the only civilian that prophesied the first coup of our dear country, and it came to pass even before his prophecy was published.

       He didn’t hide his face in our mistakes and pretend that all was well; he never folded his arms, rather he pointed fingers to our mistake, and directed us out of them, even though we ignored him.

       This was a noble gentleman, who once lived with us on earth; he was so vibrant, that his demise left a vacuum in the lines of our history. He started the journey into the world like everyone did, had setbacks like most of us, but above all he was a success. He made the whites believe that we are Africans and indeed we have a history; he took us to the forefront and fought the battle until his last breath, he was seen as a controversial writer, his works were always poignant, as he injected into us, the wealth of his wisdom. To many critics, he was just a Paper Tiger.

       In most cases, he was misinterpreted, but his spirit was never dampened. To the old he was a hero and to the young he was a mirror.

       I have wondered if God is calling all our heroes home for another ‘ABURI ACCORD’, this time in heaven. Ojukwu fought our war with arms, and this man fought with pen. Why have they gone home, they have left us alone to fight for our throne? In the space of a year, we have lost two wisdom trays. The most recent of them is this man.

       He was a Man of The People, and now that he has gone, Things Have Fallen Apart, and the land is No Longer at Ease. We just hope that this is not the Arrow of God upon us. Indeed There Was a Country, and in that country there was a man, there was CHINUA ACHEBE.

Augustus C.

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