hinThe Geoffrey Okoye University, Enugu is to establish an Institute for Chinua Achebe Studies in the university.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Rev, Father (Professor) Christian Anieke made this known at a news briefing in Enugu Tuesday.
Anieke said that the decision to establish the Acbebe Institute was taken by English and Literature scholars from different institutions in the country during a recent seminar on the late renowned writer and novelist.
He said that the seminar was jointly organised by the Geoffrey University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN.
He said that “Africans must do their own research and not allow foreigners to do so for them,” adding that all the books and novels ever read by Achebe would be assembled in the institute for scholars to dig more on the lives and times of Achebe.
”I will soon travel to America to meet Acbebe’s wife and also see his library and volume of all the books he has read. It will enable researchers work on the quantum of knowledge available to him as a writer.
”We will also visit the place where Acbebe did some administrative duties to find out for example what he minuted in the files that passed through him.
”For example, we will visit the Enugu State University of Science of Technology, ESUT, where he chairman of the Governing Council of the university to know how he handled his administrative duties.
”This way, researchers and indeed, the world will reflect on the different meanings of Achebe’s writings,
”Acbeb’s Things Fall Apart was translated into 50 different languages. African literature and writings are rooted on Achebe. The centre will open up some window of research.
“We will show that original research is possible through the Achebe Institute so that researcher do not go about copying others.
”Achebe showed through his writings that the white man did not show us how to do things and should be remembered for giving Africans voice in literature.
”We should be the champions on matters about Achebe. We do not want to wait for outsiders to take up the challenge,” he added. (Vanguard)
