ONE of Africa’s finest novelist, poet and dramatist
Captain Elechi Amadi died Wednesday at the Good
Heart hospital in Port Harcourt at the age of 82.
Captain Elechi Amadi died Wednesday at the Good
Heart hospital in Port Harcourt at the age of 82.
A member of the family , Bar Wabueze Amadi,
confirmed the development to the Vanguard
newspaper on phone, saying he passed on at about
3: 45pm at the hospital.
The late captain Elechi Amadi was among the first
generation of African writers and novelists.
Some of his works include The Concubine, The
Great Ponds, Isiburu, Sunset in Biafra, Dance of
Johannesburg, Peppersoup, The Road to Ibadan,
The Slave , Estrangement and the Woman of
Calaber.
He celebrated his 80th birthday in Port Harcourt, in
2014 releasing a souvenir edition of one of his
plays, Isiburu to mark his 80th birthday.
He was born on 12 May, 1934 in Aluu community,
Ikwerre local government area.
He attended Government college , Umuahia and
went to the University college, Ibadan where he
bagged a BSc degree in Physics and Mathematics.
He served in the 3rd Marine Commandos of the
Nigerian Army. He was first Commissioner for
Education in the old Rivers state and also served as
Commissioner for Lands and Housing
He had several honours to his credit. He was Fellow
of the Nigerian Academy of Education and a
Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria .
He was awarded a honorary doctorate degree by the
University of Port Harcourt in 2011.
He was abducted by unknown gunmen in 2008 and
later released after some days in their custody.
He lived in his community, Aluu until his death.
The Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside
described him as a great Nigerian who will be
greatly missed.
His words, “Captain Elechi Amadi, certainly was a
man of many parts who touched lives in many
ways. And he will be remembered for good by
many people who met him physically or through his
books. He was a well known author, publisher,
soldier and statesman who was concerned about a
better society.
“My generation will definitely remember him more
for his great books like the Concubine, the Great
Ponds, Sunset in Biafra, Estrangement, the Slave
and a collection of poems.
“It is regrettable that Amadi passed away at a time
when Rivers, our dear state is still far away from the
aspirations of its founding fathers like him and
most sons and daughters of the state. There is no
doubt that Elder Elechi Amadi and other founding
fathers will be weeping in their graves at the state
of Rivers State. Nigeria and the international literary
community has lost a creative giant.
“The departed patriot, no doubt, had a remarkable
life and he will surely be remembered for serving
humanity with literature and his interventions.
May his soul find eternal rest in the Lord.”
