Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed shock and sadness over the passing of renowned writer, Prof. Chinua Achebe.

Amaechi, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, described Achebe as one of Nigeria and Africa’s finest literary giants whose works speak volumes and are internationally recognized.

Amaechi recalled his fond memories of Achebe, including his play, “A Man of the People,” which is the governor’s favourite work by the writer.

“I love and have read “A Man of the People” over and over again, mostly because of its portrayal of leadership as it is in Africa. I have also commissioned that a movie be made out of it for the benefit of more people especially our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.  It is such a shock to me that our dearly beloved Achebe, the man who gave us several notable works of literature is gone.”

“I still have fond memories of the time I spent with Prof. Achebe at his home in Providence, Rhodes Island, and when I was invited as a keynote speaker to his annual African Colloquium at Brown’s University. His intelligence still motivates me. I remember his kind words, his fatherly advice and encouragement. Achebe is a man that will be greatly missed not only by Nigerians and Africans, but the world,” Amaechi said.

“As the nation mourns this irreparable loss, I pray that God grants his family the strength to bear this great loss, and to all of us, I say find solace in the fact that Achebe impacted our world positively.

He lived a fulfilled life fighting for change in the political landscape of our great nation and Africa, using his pen and voice, and has left behind an array of literary works that are indeed most remarkable, he said.”