More Tributes For Elechi Amadi

Aluu Community in Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers State has been thrown into mourning mood following the passing on of Chief Elechi Amadi, an educationist and author.
Amadi, 82, a retired army officer and former Commissioner for Education in Rivers State, died on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
Our correspondent, who visited the community, yesterday, reports that many residents received the news of Amadi’s death with shock.
Some of the residents said they would miss him, especially his fatherly role and philanthropist disposition.
A cousin to Amadi, Chief Adi Wali, said that his death was a big shock to the community.
“We have lost a father, brother and an icon. It is a big shock to this community. It is an end of a generation that can never be brought back,” he said.
Wali said that the late author was the light of the community, adding that they were yet to come to terms with his death.
“We lost an educationist, a pathfinder and a colossus. I do not know when we can get somebody like him again,” he said.
He said that as Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Amadi played a prominent role in locating a campus of the University of Port Harcourt in Aluu.
Similarly, the Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Rivers State chapter, Mr. Uzor Nwamara, said some executive members of the group were with Amadi in the hospital an hour before he died.
“It was indeed very painful to hear that he passed on an hour after leaving him in the hospital.
“It’s beyond shock. Amadi was a father, philanthropist and was a founding member of the ANA in the country,’’ he said.
The Tide recalls that 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, 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 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.
Amadi 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.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana