Chinua Achebe's DEATH Nail on Nigeria: How Achebe used "There was a country" to signpost Biafrans to their country

Chinua Achebe's DEATH Nail on Nigeria: How Achebe used "There was a country" to signpost Biafrans to to their country

When in 2012, a few weeks before his 82nd birthday, the eminent Biafran novelist Chinua Achebe released his memoir titled "There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra", many missed what Achebe was doing. For the knowledgeable ones, Achebe used the book, which was a recount of his personal experience of the Biafra-Nigeria War, to put the last nail on Nigeria's coffin. It was not long after the release that Achebe died.

Achebe did not want to die without bequeathing young Biafrans with the compass to find and restore their country. Back then many had thought Biafra was dead and buried.

Alas! Biafra was merely hibernating and building up.

Today Biafra is once again on the lips of everyone - from local to international. Many local newspapers are currently writing daily stories on Biafra. Internal media big guns such as the BBC, Reuters, Financial Times, the Economists, Fox News etc have once again dusted up Biafra and placing in the front burner.

Chinua Achebe's DEATH Nail on Nigeria: How Achebe used "There was a country" to signpost Biafrans to to their country

Achebe, who was a Biafran all through his life, rejected every entreaties of the Nigerian government, including rejecting various honours and awards, would be smiling wherever he is now, seeing young Biafrans heading back to that country he pointed out to them in 2012.

Rest in Peace Ichie!