By Christian ABURIME
In a political landscape often dominated by the glorification of power and wealth, it is a rare and refreshing sight to witness a leader who recognizes and honours the true heroes of society.
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s recent decision to name the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport after the venerable Chinua Achebe is a monumental stride towards acknowledging the immense contributions of distinguished individuals to our collective heritage.
This gesture not only pays homage to our world-renowned African literary giant but also serves as a beacon of right value system, signaling a departure from the all-too-common trend of naming monuments after powerful politicians, well-connected magnates and influential socialites.
It is an evidence of Governor Soludo’s commitment to upholding the values of integrity, intellectualism, and social justice over crass political expediency.
Little wonder, many appreciative individuals and organisations, including the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), have commended the Anambra State governor for his uncommon gesture.
Chinua Achebe, one of Nigeria’s most illustrious sons, was not merely a writer of great renown; he was a social justice advocate who used his literary prowess to illuminate the injustices and inequities that plagued his country.
Through significant works such as “Things Fall Apart,” Achebe transcended the confines of mere storytelling, offering a searing critique of colonialism and a poignant reflection on the complexities of Nigerian identity.
By affixing Achebe’s name to the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport, placing him up there among the pantheon of Nigerian icons such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Aminu Kano, Akanu Ibiam and, Murtala Muhammed, who have been so honoured in the past by the Federal Government, Governor Soludo underscores a crucial truth: the lasting impact of a society is not measured by the wealth amassed by its elite, but by the ideas and values espoused by its intellectual luminaries.
It sends a powerful message that honour should be accorded to those who shape minds, inspire change, and challenge the status quo.
This ennobling move by Governor Soludo stands in stark contrast to the prevailing culture of political patronage that often pervades the naming of public spaces. Too frequently, major landmarks and monuments bear the names of politicians who occupied high public offices and wielded power.
This practice has contributed to a cynical view of public service, where accolades are perceived as tools for political currency rather than recognition of genuine achievement. Therefore, Governor Soludo’s decision to break this mold demonstrates a keen understanding that honouring individuals like Achebe transcends the realm of politics; it is a statement of pride in the cultural and intellectual heritage of Anambra, and indeed Nigeria as a whole.
It is a socio-moral investment in the future, for it inspires the youth to aspire to greatness through intellectual pursuits and social advocacy, rather than the pursuit of power for its own sake.
Also, the gesture is a tribute to Soludo’s finer mettle as a political leader. It shows that he is not a typical politician who is contented with the usual trappings of political office and desperate to curry cheap favour towards the next election; but he is a value system-driven leader who seeks to leave a lasting legacy of integrity and progress.
It is therefore a clarion call to rethink our approach to governance and recognize that true honour lies in celebrating the visionaries, the thinkers, and the agents of positive change.
Surely, Anambra will keep winning under the solution-focused and visionary leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo!
