Famous Writer, Elechi Amadi, dies at 82

One of Africa’s finest novelists, poets and dramatists, Captain Elechi Amadi died Wednesday at the Good Heart hospital in Port Harcourt at the age of 82.The late Captain Elechi Amadi was among the first generation of African writers and novelists to emerge from Nigeria. 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 Calabar.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.Elechi Amadi was born on May 12, 1934, in Aluu community, Ikwerre local government area. He attended Government College, Umuahia and went to the University College, Ibadan (now University of 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.