Achebe Statue Funded by Community, Not Anambra State, Soludo’s Aide

The Anambra State Government has clarified that a statue honoring literary giant Chinua Achebe, unveiled in Ogidi, was a community-led initiative, funded and executed entirely by the Ogidi Town Union. This clarification comes after widespread social media discussions questioned the statue's artistic interpretation and resemblance to the late author of "Things Fall Apart."

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There has been a spreading misconception that the statue of our literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, at Ugwu-Nwasike Roundabout was commissioned and built by the Anambra State Government. For the avoidance of doubt: the statue was conceived, funded and executed by the Ogidi Town Union, Achebe’s community.

Ejimofor Opara, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, stated that Governor Chukwuma Soludo was invited solely to unveil the monument, emphasizing that the state government did not commission or build it. "For the avoidance of doubt: the statue was conceived, funded and executed by the Ogidi Town Union, Achebe’s community," Opara said in a statement released on Sunday.

Opara urged critics to refrain from undermining the community's thoughtful gesture for social media engagement. He highlighted that the decision by Achebe's own community to immortalize their illustrious son is profound and deserves commendation. The monument also features engraved excerpts from Achebe's celebrated works, such as "Things Fall Apart," "Arrow of God," and "No Longer at Ease," ensuring the preservation of his literary legacy.

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We must not trivialise this thoughtful gesture by the Ogidi people for social media traffic. The decision of Achebe’s own community to immortalise their illustrious son is profound and deserves commendation, not needless debate about the sculptor’s interpretation.

Furthermore, Opara argued that public attention should focus on the symbolism of the monument rather than its artistic accuracy. He drew a parallel to the reverence shown for religious icons, stating, "We do not measure our reverence for images of Christ, Mother Mary, or the Saints by artistic perfection, but by what they stand for. The same reverence should apply here." The Soludo administration had previously honored Achebe by renaming the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport in his name in 2023.

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This back and forth about whether a statue is ‘picture-perfect’ is a huge distraction from the weight of this symbolic effort. Symbols are about what they represent. We do not measure our reverence for images of Christ, Mother Mary, or the Saints by artistic perfection, but by what they stand for. The same reverence should apply here.