Imran Hassan
As the saying goes “Great mind discuss ideas.” Indeed Elder Elechi Amadi is a great literary icon who discuss ideas. This has been depict in his novels based on his powerful imagination and creativity. As a great contemporary story teller, his works has portray colourful descriptions of African village life perfectly capture the beliefs, customs and religions of his people prior to Western influence. He was a soldier, who has served as Captain in the 3rd Marine Commandos of the Nigerian army during the Civil war. He did not keep his experience to himself but rather he shared it to his progenies who were unborn at that time.
This is clearly seen in his book titled “Sunset in Biafra.” Elechi Amadi was born in the year 1934 at Aluu,near port Harcourt in Rivers state. He attended Government College, Umuahia and later University college, Ibadan from where he obtained a BSc in Physics and Mathematics in the year 1959. He served as a teacher, a civil servant, a lecturer and also as an army. He is the man of people who spent his life tirelessly serving humanity. He went to public service to serve and not to be served, to give and not to take. The world can testify that he has discharged his duties according to his capability before answering the call of his Lord. He firstly served his country as a soldier, after that, he left army to work for the Rivers state Government, first as Commissioner for Education then as Commissioner for Lands and Housing.
He has been honoured many times, as well as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic and also awarded an honourary doctorate degree by the University of Port Harcourt in the year 2011.His literary works includes: The Concubine(1966),The Great Ponds(1969),Isiburu(1973),Sunset in Biafra(1973),Dancer of Johannesburg(1977),Pepper soup(1977),The Road to Ibadan(1977),The Woman of Calabar(2002) to mention but a few.
Elechi was a Physicist, Mathematician, Lecturer, Novelist, Poet and also a retired Nigerian Army. He was also among the great and best Writer of Port Harcourt who had contributed immensely to the Rainbow Book Club.
The efforts of Rivers state writers coupled with his own efforts made Port Harcourt to be nominated as World Book Capital by UNESCO in the year 2014.Amadi would be remembered forever by his literary work which is his footprint. Nigeria has lost a great giant, when his wisdom and knowledge are highly needed. At this point, it would be a privilege and honour for both the Federal and State Government to immortalize this Hero.
May his soul repose in perfect peace. May God grant Nigerians, Literary World, Rivers state people and his family the fortitude to bear this great loss?
Imran Hassan writes from Jos.
