About Cyril Ibe

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aboutcyrilibe, cyrilibe, profiles

Cyril Ibe is assistant professor of journalism and mass communication at Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. Prior to returning in fall, 2006 to his undergraduate alma mater to teach, Ibe was host and executive producer of Afriscope, a weekly, hour-long radio program on Africa broadcast on three Chicago public radio stations. Afriscope also aired on commercial radio stations in Chicago. Ibe was a regular contributor of analyses, commentaries and essays on WBEZ-FM, Chicago’s public radio, particularly on Worldview. He was the co-founder and editor-in-chief of African Newbreed magazine from 1990 to 1995. Previously he was a staff writer for Pioneer Press Newspapers in Chicago and also worked as general assignment intern reporter at The Cincinnati Enquirer and the now-defunct The Pittsburgh Press. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Central State University and a master’s degree in journalism from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Ibe also teaches as an adjunct professor of mass communication at Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio. He was a fellow in the Pew Charitable Trusts’ International Reporting Project.

Half a Century for `Things Fall Apart’, and counting…

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african literature, chinua achebe, literature

“`Things Fall Apart’ looms as an inescapable influence in African letters and a classic for all English speakers.” — Scott Timberg, Los Angeles Times.

This is the year of Things Fall Apart. The classic, pioneering African novel by Nigerian-born writer, Chinua Achebe, marks half a century in 2008, and still counting. Achebe won the well-deserved 2007 Man Booker International Award. South African-born Nobel Laureate, Nadine Gordimer, one of judges for the prestigious award, remarked that Achebe has dedicated his life to revealing “the political upheavals, the embattled end of colonialism, the fight for freedom, including freedom of expression, by which the personal lives of the people of Africa have been shaped.”

The year, 2008, is indeed the year of this world-acclaimed novel, as yearlong celebrations mark 50 years since its publication by Heinemann in 1958. Back then, little did the unsuspecting, 27-year-old Achebe anticipate what literary impact his narrative of the unprecedented clash of British colonialism cum Christianity with native Igbo civilization/culture at the turn of the 19^th century would have on world literature.

From readings in American church basements and college campuses, including Harvard and Bard College (the author’s college home in self-exile), to cultural performances in Achebe’s native Igboland in southeastern Nigeria, the year promises a rich medley of festivities.

At the same time, tons in both print and the Internet are being written on the golden anniversary of Things Fall Apart. Check out this article in the Washington Post which is typical of how this literary milestone is being celebrated in print. The Los Angeles Times is not to be outdone in this.

In this podcast by The Chronicle of Higher Education, Achebe reflects on the abiding influence of his novel on world literature. His reflection comes with the seasoned wisdom of a man of letters who marks his 78th birthday November 16.

Happy half a century to Things Fall Apart! To Achebe, I say, “ka ndu di!” (May there be more life!)