Chinua Achebe was a poet , laden with ' the gift of ancient wisdom , ' says Tolu Ogunlesi . Achebe twice rejected awards from the Nigerian government . Events triggered by civil war , government corruption , damaged his relationship with Nigeria , says Ogunlesi . Ogunlesi : ' May his soul rest in peace . We should ' read his writing with the respect with which we revere his person '
Chinua Achebe was a poet , laden with ' the gift of ancient wisdom , ' says Tolu Ogunlesi . Achebe twice rejected awards from the Nigerian government . Events triggered by civil war , government corruption , damaged his relationship with Nigeria , says Ogunlesi . Ogunlesi : ' We should ' read his writing with the respect with which we revere his person '