Thousands Mourn Celebrated Nigerian Writer Chinua Achebe
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2013/05/thousands-mourn-celebrated-nigerian.html
The funeral of Nigeria's celebrated writer, Chinua Achebe, has been held in his small hometown in a ceremony that drew crowds of mourners.
Achebe, author of the widely praised novel Things Fall Apart, was buried on Thursday, two months after he died in the US aged 82.
His private burial on the family compound followed a service at a local Anglican church.
"The death of my uncle is indeed a great loss not only to the family but to Nigeria and Africa as a whole," 64-year-old Obi Achebe said at the compound on Wednesday evening.
"He has left big shoes that will be difficult to be worn by anybody."
Viewed as an iconic figure in Nigeria and abroad, his death led to tributes worldwide.
Nigerian leaders, foreign dignitaries, fellow writers and the Archbishop of Canterbury were expected to be among those arriving in the town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria to pay tribute to Achebe, according to the AFP newsagency.
Achebe was a harsh critic of Nigeria's rampant corruption and twice refused national awards.
Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's president, was nevertheless expected to attend the service, according to a source in the presidency.
His private burial on the family compound followed a service at a local Anglican church.
"The death of my uncle is indeed a great loss not only to the family but to Nigeria and Africa as a whole," 64-year-old Obi Achebe said at the compound on Wednesday evening.
"He has left big shoes that will be difficult to be worn by anybody."
Viewed as an iconic figure in Nigeria and abroad, his death led to tributes worldwide.
Nigerian leaders, foreign dignitaries, fellow writers and the Archbishop of Canterbury were expected to be among those arriving in the town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria to pay tribute to Achebe, according to the AFP newsagency.
Achebe was a harsh critic of Nigeria's rampant corruption and twice refused national awards.
Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's president, was nevertheless expected to attend the service, according to a source in the presidency.
