Mr. Peter Obi, governor of Anambra, the home state fallen wordsmith Prof. Chinua Achebe, has completed arrangements to depart to the USA today to confer with the family of the famous author of Things Fall Apart.

News Express learnt that Obi was the first to be informed of Achebe’s death and has since been in touch with the Achebe family, which is based in the USA.

In a message released yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Gov. Obi paid tribute to Prof. Achebe, describing him as one of the finest minds the world has known.

The governor also explained how, on waking up yesterday morning, he received the news of Achebe’s death.

The text of his message reads: “I woke up early this morning and saw two missed calls from Prof. China Achebe’s son, Dr. Ike Achebe, with whom I have been in regular touch to ascertain his father’s well being. I immediately returned the call, and to my greatest shock and disbelief, he informed me that his father has just passed on.

“The world has lost one of her finest minds. Africa and Nigeria have lost one of their greatest global Ambassadors.

“I have duly contacted Mr. President to inform him about the sad development. I have also contacted some prominent Nigerians who also expressed shock at the development.”

Born in Ogidi, Anambra State, on November 16, 1930, Achebe taught at the University of Nigeria Nsukka until 1990 when a car accident left him paralysed from the waist down and in a wheelchair, forcing him to relocate to the USA, where he continued to work as a professor.

His last book last year entitled There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra, the book documents his experiences during the three-year Biafran war (1967-70). It has stoked much controversy since its publication last year.