Chinua Achebe dies at 82: things fall apart!

Chinua Achebe dies at 82 and it sounds like a tragedy. He wrote his magnum opus at 28, an inverse of the age he died. The country had 54 years of pure African storytelling from the man that understood the trade of tale. So wasn't 54 years enough for a country to have learnt from the Iroko tree before it fell?

Having Chinua around for a hundred more years would have been a blessing to humanity. He was one of the few, I still ponder who the second is, that perfected the tale of African story telling with great dexterity and top-notch use of efficient English Language that amuse all class and cadre of readers.

When we bow our heads in sorrow to mourn Achebe, it's not because the father of African literature didn't do enough, but we ask the simply sad question "who shall tell the tale now that the story teller is gone"? Is it those elders who refer to their "oga at the top" for an ordinary website address? Or the elders of the land who perpetrate evil acts and corrupt the soul of the younger generations yet they walk the streets unchallenged. Those who are challenged, caught and condemned are given the pardon to go and do much more.

Who again shall tell us a story, now that "Things fall apart"? Who will show us "The man of the people"? Who will tell us the tale of how "The arrow of god" strikes. we are "No Longer at Ease" for Achebe is dead!

Death tells us of the brevity of human existence, but Achebe told the story of existence, short or long. Death might have killed men and nations, Chinua told the stories.

In a generation filled with men of easy virtues and cheap claims to stardom, Achebe rejected two national honours and clamoured, until his death, for a corruption-free governance. Although several others claim to fight for the same cause but Achebe has made us see beyond the façade of mediocrity that they parade. His intellectual depth is one vital attribute that most Nigerian leaders, dead and living, lacked that led us to where we are today.

Achebe remain a true icon worthy of emulation in life and death. If we are to measure values, not in terms of Naira and Kobo, then to see a man like Achebe again Nigeria may search in vain.

Rest in peace, Chinua Achebe!