It was indeed a blend of tears, encomium and fanfare on Friday, October 9, 2020, as Nigeria’s multiple award-winning author and literary crackerjack, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie buries her father, Late Prof. James Nwoye Adichie.
The burial, held in the hometown of Chimamanda Adichie, Abba in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra, began with a Holy Mass presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye of the Awka Catholic Diocese.
It drew the attendance of Ex Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, among other intellectuals and personalities, including the members of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) who went to commiserate with the Adichie Family.
In his homily, Bishop Okoye — who read the scriptures both in Igbo and English, described Prof. Nwoye Adichie, during the pontifical burial mass that held in St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Abba.
Chimamanda Adichie Speaks On Her Father’s Death.
Adichie delivering an eulogy.
The creative writer was beautifully adorned in a masterfully sewn white garment. She though appeared to be the most bereaved among others, being herself, the Daddy’s Daughter.
Nwa Odelu-ora Abba (daughter of Odelu-Ora of Abba – a title given to Prof. James Nwoye Adichie) as written on her Instagram page, depicts the depth of her love for her father, and how his death has affected her.
Weeks before the burial was held, Adichie expressed most of her feelings about the situation in a memoir that was published by the newyorker. The memoir takes us down her memory lane and into her personal feelings about her father’s death.
Adichie also took to her Instagram to share a video of her hailing her daughter in Igbo with a caption that says her father did it to her, and so she should do it for her daughter.
“My father was a very remarkable, kind and loving father. He was also a patient and honest man of integrity. He always had time for his children. In fact my father was the bedrock of whatever I am today. So I don’t think I could have had a better father than him. I love him, and I will miss him so much,” she told journalists in an interview.
Late Prof. James Nwoye Adichie who died at 88, was the first professor of Statistics in Nigeria. He is survived by Mrs. Grace Ifeoma Adichie (wife); Ijeoma Adichie, Uchenna Adichie, Chuks Adichie, Okey Adichie, Chimamanda Adichie, and Kenechukwu Adichie (children), as well as grandchildren and other relatives.
Izunna Okafor writes from Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
About the Author
Izunna Okafor is an award-winning Nigerian novelist, poet, journalist, essayist, editor, translator, publicist, Igbo language activist and administrator who hails from Ebenator in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
He writes perfectly in English and Igbo languages, and has published enormously in both languages.
Izunna has received over 25 awards, and has over 2000 articles published online, both nationally and internationally, cutting across creative writing and journalism.