Sunset in Biafra at last, as Elechi Amadi dies

The death has occurred of famous author, Elechi Amadi. Sources told TheNiche he died on June 29 at the Good Heart Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the age of 82.
Born on May 12, 1934, in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, he is best known for his 1966 first novel, The Concubine, acclaimed all over the world. He also wrote Sunset in Biafra.
He 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 was also Dean of Arts, Head of the Literature Department and Director of General Studies.
On May 13, 1989, a symposium was held at the University of Port Harcourt to celebrate Amadi’s 55th birthday.
In May 2004, a conference was organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Rivers State Branch, to mark his 70th birthday.
On January 5, 2009, Amadi was kidnapped at his home in Aluu town by unknown gunmen. He was released 23 hours later.
The one-time chairman of the Rivers State Scholarship Board has written many other works including drama and poetry.
He was among the Nigerian authors who featured prominently at the events marking the Port Harcourt World Book Capital (PHWBC) in 2014.
His awards include: Rivers State Silver Jubilee Merit Award (1992), Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Education, honoris causa, awarded by Rivers State University of Science and Technology (2003), Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Education (2003).