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Stakeholders Emphasize Need for Improved Writing, Reading Skills Among Youths at Achebe Literary Lecture Series


The 2024 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and memorial lecture, organized by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers in collaboration with the Anambra State Library Board, has sparked calls for enhanced writing and reading skills among secondary school students . Held at the Dike Library on November 16th, the event drew scholars, traditional rulers, renowned writers, and students from various schools.


Comrade Izunna Okafor, the convener and a respected Anambra journalist, will interacting with newsmen after the event  highlighted the importance of commemorating Chinua Achebe's legacy, a project he has continuously done for over 8 years now. He said "We gather every November 16th to celebrate and immortalize him, which we've done for eight years, until Governor Soludo named the Anambra International Airport after him."


The Chief of Staff to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Hon Ernest Nnaama Ezeajughi, in his keynote address stressed that education is key to success, citing the state's employment of 8,000 teachers and laboratory equipment Hon Commissioner of Culture and Entertainment, Hon Don Onyenji, in the same vein encouraged students to acquire additional skills in vocational studies and traditional /international cuisine.

Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the lecture series, the traditional ruler of Umeri, HRH Beneth Emeka, said that the lecture series is a wonderfully thought out idea by a wonderful and exceptional journalist. He promisied to bring his friends in the next series to make it thick and to as well ensure that the aim of such an event which is to catch them young is acheived.  

Hon Patrick Agha Mbah, Commissioner for Youths, assured the audience of government support for literary development, highlighting the Anambra Talent Hunt initiative, which said has gone a long way to empower the students, who more or less gets engaged after school. 

Adding her voice to the discourse, Professor Stella Okunna and other speakers celebrated Achebe's contributions to African literature and Igbo cultural heritage, stressing that Chinua Achebe's Legacy is yet to be rivaled.  



The 2024 Chinua Achebe Essay Competition for Secondary Schools awarded top performers in this order:

- 1st runner-up: St Lucy Secondary School, Ifite Awka
- 2nd position: Community Secondary School Okpuno
- 3rd position: Faith Model Secondary School St Mary's College Awka

Individual awards went to Miss Chinanu StellaMaris Amaechi Agbodike, Mr Uche Osunkwo, Sixtus Uzoegbo, Michael Egwuagu, and Chisom Okonkwo, among others.

By emphasizing the importance of writing and reading skills, stakeholders aim to empower young Nigerians to become productive citizens and continue Chinua Achebe's legacy.

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