Veteran writer dies at the age of 82

He died on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at the Good Heart hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Vanguard reports that Wabueze Amadi, a member of the poet’s family confirmed that he died around 3:45pm.

Amadi was born on May 12, 1934 in Aluu community, Ikwerre local government area of Rivers state.

Speaking to newsmen on his death, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside said “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.”

Peterside added that “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.”

Notable works by the poet include The Concubine, Isiburu and Sunset in Biafra among many others.

The Late Elechi Amadi attended the University college, Ibadan where he studied Physics and Mathematics.