Ife mee.
Nnukwu ife mee.
Chinua Achebe anabago.
Onye edemede nke di egwu,
onye nnukwu uche,
onye obi oma.
Keduzi onye anyi ga-eji eme onu?
Keduzi onye anyi ga-eji jee mba?
Keduzi onye ga-akwado anyi?
Ebenebe egbu o!
Anya mmili julu m anya.
Chinua Achebe, naba no ndokwa.
O ga-adili gi mma.
Naba na ndokwa.
-
-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Translation
A tree has fallen.
A mighty tree has fallen!
Chinua Achebe is gone.
The inimitable wordsmith,
the sage,
the kind man.
Now who is there for us to boast about?
Who will be our rampart?
How are the mighty fallen!
My eyes are in flood with tears.
Chinua Achebe may your soul rest in peace.
It is well with you.
Rest in peace.
Translation by Mazi Nnamdi Nwigwe
Olorungemstone 