University of Jos VC pays tribute to Achebe

The VC commended the late author for his integrity.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Hayward Mafuyai, has said that the death of Chinua Achebe was a loss not only to his immediate family and community but the entire African continent.

Mr. Mafuyai said the late literary giant was a pride to the Igbo nation, to Nigeria and to Africa.

The university boss, who was speaking on Thursday during a visit of a delegation of Igbo leaders, led by Joseph Obilom, to the university to donate a trophy for a female football competition, said that Mr. Achebe passed on at a time he was most needed.

He said Mr. Achebe stamped his feet on the literary world, adding that the late author demonstrated integrity when he refused two national awards.

“For somebody to be nominated twice for national honors and for rejecting it twice showed that he was a man of honor. Though I never met him, I have a high regard for him because of his accomplishments,” he said.

He said both Mr. Achebe and late Nnamdi Azikiwe exhibited high spirit of nationalism and both lived and died for Nigeria.

The VC also condoled with the Igbo community over the death of Prof. Cyril Onwuliri, who died in the unfortunate Dana air crash last year. He said that he had enjoyed excellent relationship with the Igbos working in the university, adding that that the Igbos are well represented in the top echelon of administration in the university.

He also assured the Igbo community that the trophy will come in handy as the university intends to float a female football team and encourage the introduction of female football at the National University Games, NUGA.