''We are in mourning for our illustrious son'' – Anambra State reacts to Chinua Achebe’s death

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), has reached out to Anambra State officials, home state of prolific author Chinua Achebe, who passed on last night.

The report said: His home state of Anambra, in south-eastern Nigeria, was in mourning for its “illustrious son”, the spokesman, Mike Udah, said.

Mr Achebe, 82, was most famous for his ground breaking 1958 novel Things Fall Apart, which dealt with the impact of colonialism on African society.

He had been living in the US since 1990 following injuries from a car crash.

Things Fall Apart has sold more than 10 million copies – and has been translated into more than 50 languages.

It focuses on the traditions of Igbo society and the clash between Western and traditional values.

Mr Udah is the spokesman for Anambra state governor Peter Obi.