Anambra honours budding novelist

04.01.2008

The Anambra State government has honoured a budding novelist, Miss Chimamanda Adichie, for her “exemplary literary works.” Governor Peter Obi said at the ceremony in Awka on Wednesday that “the era of honouring crooks to become millionaires without any means of livelihood’’ was over.

He said the state government decided to honour Adichie to celebrate her literary accomplishments. The governor said the only way to prevent crooks from becoming role models in the state was by recognising only those who made positive contributions to the society.

He said he would rather attend ceremonies which had positive contributions to the society than celebrations where chieftaincy titles were being awarded to people without recognised jobs.

Responding, Adichie, a native of Abba in Njikoka Local Government Area, said she was ashamed of the state until Obi came into office.

“By his actions, the governor is desirous of changing the state for the better and should be supported by everybody,’’ she said.

Adichie urged parents to encourage their children with necessary support in their educational pursuits and advised the young ones to take their education serious.