Anambra State Commissioner Urges Inclusion of 'Things Fall Apart' in Secondary School Curriculum
Anambra Commissioner seeks reintroduction of ‘Things Fall Apart’ to school
Mary Nwaeze 
In a recent meeting with members of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra Chapter, Don Onyenji, Commissioner for Entertainment, Culture, and Tourism, advocated for the reintroduction of Chinua Achebe's renowned novel, 'Things Fall Apart,' into the secondary school curriculum.
The call was made during the visit of the Young Writers to the commissioner's office to apprise him of the upcoming 2023 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture.
Onyenji praised the enduring originality and cultural richness of 'Things Fall Apart,' hailing it as the most sold and translated African novel, and stressed that the present generation should not be deprived of the valuable lessons embedded in the book. He emphasized the book's role as a potent tool for preserving and promoting African heritage.
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"I want to call on educational authorities to recognize the book’s value in shaping the cultural and historical consciousness of the younger generation," Onyenji asserted, underlining the novel's significance in the context of the ongoing search for moral rejuvenation in Nigerian society.
The commissioner commended the Anambra State young writers for their initiative in organizing the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, highlighting its potential to foster literary appreciation and creativity among youths.
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Onyenji affirmed the Anambra government's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote cultural awareness, intellectuality, and literary excellence.
During the event, Izunna Okafor, the Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers in Anambra, provided insights into the festival's history, stating that it began in 2016 as a literary event to honor the Nigerian literary icon and celebrate his works, legacies, and posthumous birthday.
Okafor revealed that this year's memorial lecture would be delivered by Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, focusing on the theme "Ten Years After… Remembering Achebe’s Legacies in Today’s Nigeria."
Other features of the festival include drama presentations, an open microphone session, the announcement of winners of the Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition, and the presentation of awards. Additionally, the 8th Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled "Anthills of Words," will be unveiled during the event.
Okafor took the opportunity to express the young writers' appreciation to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for immortalizing the late literary icon by renaming the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, after him. As a gesture of gratitude, he presented a recent edition of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled "Achebe the Soul Brother," to Commissioner Don Onyenji on behalf of the association.
