One of the foremost Nigerian writers, Elechi Amadi has passed away at the age of 82.
Amadi who is considered one of the best Nigerian novelists reportedly passed away at the Good Heart hospital in Port Harcourt. Multiple source reports that Bar Wabueze Amadi who is a member of the family confirmed the passing away of one of the Africa’s first generation writers.
Born in 1934, in Aluu in the Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria, Elechi Amadi attended Government College, Umuahia (1948–52), Survey School, Oyo (1953–54), and the University of Ibadan (1955–59), where he obtained a degree in Physics and Mathematics.
He worked for a time as a land surveyor and later was a teacher at several schools, including the Nigerian Military School, Zaria (1963–66).Amadi served in the Nigerian army, remained there during the Nigerian Civil War, and retired at the rank of Captain. He then held various positions with the Rivers State government: Permanent Secretary (1973–83), Commissioner for Education (1987–88) and Commissioner for Lands and Housing (1989–90).
He has been writer-in-residence and lecturer at Rivers State College of Education, where he has also been Dean of Arts, head of the literature department and Director of General Studies.
On 13 May 1989 a symposium was held at the University of Port Harcourt to celebrate Amadi’s 55th birthday.
In May 2004, a conference was organized by the Association of Nigerian Authors, Rivers State Branch, to mark Elechi Amadi’s 70th birthday
