'UN Set to Honour Late Achebe This Month'

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The United Nations has devoted Friday, November 15, 2013 to late Professor Chinua Achebe who died last march in Boston, US.Achebe was once a UN Goodwill ambassador from 1999 to 2005. The function holds at Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium, UN Headquarters, New York.In an invite sent to Vanguard by the United Nations SRC Society of Writers and United Nations SRC Film Society, the global body said the event featuring music, film, readings and recollections by family and friends, is part of Achebe's 83rd post-humous birthday celebrations.On its website, the United Nations Population Fund, through its Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin said, “Mr. Achebe will forever be credited for his leading role in shaping the span of Africa's literary traditions and for conveying its authentic voice to the world at large.”

Four Presidents, Archbishop of Canterbury for Achebe’s burial

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Anambra State Government on Tuesday said four Heads of State and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, would be attending the burial of the literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, at Ogidi.

The burial of Achebe, 82, who died in the United States on March 21, holds on Thursday.

Secretary to the Government of Anambra State, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, confirmed the coming of the foreign dignitaries on Tuesday while briefing reporters on Achebe’s burial arrangements.

Obaze said President John Mahama of Ghana would be joining President Goodluck Jonathan and two other heads of state, whose attendance has been secured but awaiting final confirmation at the burial.

Anxiety Over Chinua Achebe’s Health

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Fear gripped many Nigerians yesterday over the alleged deteriorating health of Africa’s foremost novelist and author, Prof Chinua Achebe. Against the backdrop of rumours that the literary legend must have passed on following his failing health, Daily Sun contacted a source in the United States where the professor resides.

The source confirmed that although the literary icon was in hospital, he was still very much alive.

The source who called Achebe’s family at about 10 p.m. yesterday, said the professor was in the hospital, but that he was not dead.

Chinua Achebe was born on November 16, 1930. He is a famous novelist, poet, professor, and critic. He is best known for his first novel Things Fall Apart (1958), which is the most widely read book in modern African literature.

Source: The Sun