PORT HARCOURT : 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. A member of the family , Bar Wabueze Amadi, confirmed the development to the Vanguard newspaper on phone, saying he passed on at about 345pm at the hospital. The late captain Elechi Amadi was among the first generation of African writers and novelists. Some of his works were 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.”

http://9jaspecial.com.ng/2016/06/29/breaking-news-elechi-amadi-dies-82/

R

This life! Him chapter don close

RIP ICON.
You are the best After Achebe.
Chukky Uniben!

Na wa ooooo

johnchukky:
RIP ICON.
You are the best After Achebe.
Chukky Uniben!

The most divisive man East of the Niger who encouraged the non Igbo population to hate the Igbos with passion.

Rip Elechi,..one of the finest writers east of the Niger

I remembered peppersoup. But why June?

RIP

Never knew he was still alive all these years. I wonder why he's been quiet.
RIP anyway!

RIP, one the finest literary icon. This June has taken some of our finest individuals. Fare thee well papa.

Good night to an African literary Icon. His novel, the Concubine remains evergreen in my memory.

Never knew he was still alive

The man who made me develop interest in reading after reading The Great Ponds 3 times. RIP

He worked with the Waste Side during Biafra war and supported the Northerners to inherit the oil that belongs to Biafra. The northerners owns the oil till today.

I can only remember him as a saboteur.
R.I.P to him.

I remember those days when I read "The concubine" over and over again. RIP, Great man.

One of The Heroes Of the Ikwerre, Rivers State Niger delta hv gone to rest. Good bye Elder Elechi Amadi your good works will leave forever.

Gov. Wike should pls change Rivers State University Of Science And Technology To Elechi Amadi University Of Science And Technology just like what he did to Rivers state polytechnics @Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnics..

Wow. One of my favorite authors of Nigeria's golden literary generation.

Another chapter of a literary giant closed.

And for those saying he wont be forgotten because he sabotaged Biafra's dream, your opinions are inconsequential.

He'll be remembered as a literary giant by the international literary community, what would you be remembered for?

Adieu Elechi.