What metaphors are used in Anthills of the Savannah by Chinua Achebe?

There was an Old Testament prophet who named his son The-remnant-shall-return. They must have lived in times like this. We have a different metaphor, though; we have our own version of hope that springs eternal. We shall call this child AMAECHINA: May-the-path-never-close. (Achebe 206)