Anambra State Gov’t renames airport as ‘Chinua Achebe Int’l Airport’
The state-owned International Passenger and Cargo Airport located in Umueri, Anambra State, has been officially renamed by the State Government as Chinua Achebe International Airport barely three years after it was commissioned for commercial operations.
Giving reasons for the change of name at an event commemorating Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary in Awka on Sunday October 1, 2023, the Executive Governor of the State, Prof Charles Soludo said the late literary icon is more deserving of honour and immortalisation than any other indigene of the State.
The Governor upheld Achebe as an African and global hero who was largely unsung at home.
According to him, “Achebe rejected Nigeria’s national award twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state, Anambra. Today, Anambra will finally honour Chinua Achebe.”
“After wide consultations, there is a wide consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra State than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe.
“Anambra will probably need two more airports in the future but this first one will be used to honor him. Consequently, we will and are committed to rename Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport Umueri to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.”
