CHIEF DR. CAPTAIN ELECHI AMADI (RTD) JP, MFR

CHIEF DR. CAPTAIN ELECHI AMADI (RTD) JP, MFR

Ochi Ohna Ikwerre X (2001 - 2004)

Born May 12, 1934, in Aluu community, Ikwerre LGA, Captain (Dr.) Elechi Amadi (Rtd) was a celebrated African writer, retired civil servant, academic, and soldier. Academically, he attended Government College, Umuahia (1948-1952), Survey School Oyo (1953-1954) where he obtained a Certificate in Land Survey, and University College, Ibadan (1955-1959) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Physics in 1959.

Traditionally, he held the title Ochi Ohna Ikwerre X and served as President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide from 2001 to 2004.

His contributions to Ogbakor Ikwerre and the Ikwerre nation were remarkable. He was a Land Surveyor under the former Eastern Region, Mathematics Teacher in several schools (1960-1963), Principal of Asa Grammar School (1968), Permanent Secretary in Rivers State (1973-1983), Commissioner for Education (1987-1988), and Commissioner for Lands and Housing (1989-1990). In the Nigerian Army, he taught at Nigerian Military School, Zaria (1963-1966) and served with the 3rd Marine Commando under Col. Benjamin Adekunle and later Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo in 14th Brigade Command, Port Harcourt. He was Writer-in-Residence and Lecturer at Rivers State College of Education, serving as Dean of Arts, Head of Literature Department, and Director of General Studies. His acclaimed literary works include The Concubine (1966), The Great Ponds (1969), The Slave (1977), Estrangement (1987), Sunset at Biafra (1973), and Ethics in Nigerian Culture (1982). He received numerous awards including Rivers State Silver Jubilee Merit Award (1992), Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Education (2003), Member Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) (2003), and Rivers State Productivity Merit Award (2004). He served as Chairman of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Rivers State Branch.