The death of Elechi Amadi gets everyone dusting off 'The Concubine'

Nigeria

Renowned Nigerian novelist and poet Elechi Amadi has passed away after an undisclosed illness. He was 82.

According to local media, he died after a protracted illness on Wednesday in Port Harcourt. His most famous book is The Concubine which also happens to be his first published novel in 1966.

Our man of the week is #ElechiAmadi, a member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). … https://t.co/XNjyqnysWz pic.twitter.com/lC8RaeHKRF

His passing is as much a loss to Nigeria and Africa as it is to the world.
— Hello PHC (@Hello_PHC) June 13, 2016

News of his passing has got many dusting off ‘The Concubine’ with an outpour of nostalgic memories of the book on social media.

RIP to Elechi Amadi. Time to reread some of these great authors https://t.co/QGPleuDlz3 pic.twitter.com/E9PrE6mVMr
— Cassava Republic (@CassavaRepublic) June 29, 2016

Currently reading “The Concubine” by Elechi Amadi. Took me a while to get into it but I'm starting to like it. 😁 pic.twitter.com/rruU8lyrtr
— Lilz (@LilzEffiong) June 9, 2016

The Concubine by Elechi Amadi was one of the 1st books that made me fall in love with African Literatures.

RIP Elechi Amadi
— A Child Of Curiosity (@yekeme) June 29, 2016

Still remember how I felt when reading the Concubine. Thank you, Elechi Amadi. RIP.
— Bilikiss (@bilikiss) June 29, 2016

ELECHI AMADI -May his soul Rest in Perfect Peace. It took me years 2 decode the cool subtexts of The Concubine.
Who can ever forget Ihuoma?
— Juliet 'Kego (@julietkego) June 29, 2016

The Concubine is widely used as a literature study book in African schools. Amadi who came from a science background, also authored other books including The Great Ponds (1969), Sunset In Biafra (1973) and Isiburu.

He studied physics and mathematics at the University of Ibadan.

Amadi belonged to the circle of renowned Africa writers, such as the late Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka among others.

President Buhari in paying homage to the novelist said his passing ‘is as much a loss to Nigeria and Africa as it is to the world’. He eulogized Amadi as a man who ‘dedicated his life to values of peace, equality, dignity and the reading culture in Nigeria.’

Former president Goodluck Jonathan also said ‘Amadi was a renowned writer and patriot who served his fatherland meritoriously, through his literary works and exemplary performance in public service’.

Jonathan was full of praise for the author whom he said his works rendered an accurate accounts of profound African life and traditions as a counterpoise to inexact stereotypes.

Amadi’s book Sunset Biafra is said to have most precise and independent account of the war, which also detailed his experiences. He served in the Nigerian army during the civil war.