VIDEO: Soludo Unveils Chinua Achebe Monument, Urges Youth to Embrace His Legacy

• Governor Chukwuma Soludo has urged Nigerian youths to reject cultism and the pursuit of obscene wealth, saying the values championed by late literary icon Chinua Achebe should serve as a model for future generations.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has called on Nigerian youths to shun cultism, the pursuit of obscene wealth and other social vices, urging them instead to emulate the values of late literary icon Prof. Chinua Achebe.

Soludo made the appeal on Saturday during the unveiling of a monumental statue of the renowned author of Things Fall Apart at the Nwasike Roundabout in Ogidi, Anambra State.

Describing the monument as more than a tribute, the governor said it would serve as a lasting symbol of Achebe’s ideals and inspire future generations to embrace intellectual excellence, integrity and responsible living.

“Today, we go back to the root; that Chinua Achebe, though dead, he lives. His ideals will continue to shape the society. This statue is a declaration. For me, it is very fitting that we immortalise and celebrate him, and for the young, to put him forward as a role model,” Soludo said.

He added that Achebe had personally influenced his life, revealing that he named his second son after the celebrated novelist.

The governor also expressed concern over the growing menace of cultism in Idemili North Local Government Area, the hometown of the late writer, saying such activities contradict the values Achebe stood for.

“Idemili North LGA is something for which if Chinua Achebe were alive, he would be crying. Anybody in a cult is, in a way, insulting the memory of Chinua Achebe. Those who brandish obscene wealth—Chinua Achebe told us it is not the way to go,” he stated.

According to Soludo, the statue is intended to remind young people of the importance of living honourably and contributing positively to society.

“Remember the message behind this statue: he lived and told us the right way to live. By this statue we are unveiling today, Nigerian youths will derive inspiration and be determined to live by those values. May God give us many more Chinua Achebes in various fields.”

The governor also described Achebe as the “Greatest Of All Times (G.O.A.T)”, noting that the decision to rename the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport after the literary giant in 2023 was a fitting honour.

The unveiling ceremony attracted scholars, traditional rulers and government officials, all of whom paid tribute to Achebe’s enduring legacy and contributions to African literature.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Prof. Ike Achebe, son of the late author, thanked the Anambra State Government for continuing to preserve his father’s legacy.

Other speakers, including Idemili North Local Government Chairman Stanley Nkwoka and Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, stressed the need for younger generations to embrace Achebe’s intellectual values and moral principles.

Watch video below:

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has Unveiled a Statue Of Late Literary Icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, At The Ugwu Nwasike Roundabout In Ogidi, Anambra State pic.twitter.com/TjGSkS3y5b— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) July 18, 2026