Chimamanda Adichie’s father, Prof. James Nwoye Adichie, Dies At 88.
Earlier, it was announced on the Nigerian news media, that Prof. James Nwoye Adichie, father of acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has passed on. Aged 88, Prof J. N. Adichie, as he was famously assigned, apparently kicked the bucket on Wednesday, June 10, at Chira Memorial Hospital, Awkuzu Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state. He passed on at late hours of the night. The updates on his passing was affirmed by his son, Okey Adichie by means of telephone correspondence on Daily Trust.
Following this, the Adichie Family made a public statement on Prof. Adichie’s passing:
A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. With deepest sorrow, the Adichie family announce the death of our beloved husband and father, Professor James Nwoye Adichie, on Wednesday June 10, 2020.
He was 88 years old.
He received his PhD in statistics from Berkeley and went on to become Nigeria’s first professor of statistics. His dedicated life’s work was at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he was named professor emeritus in 2016. Upon his retirement, he lived in his hometown, Abba, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Grace Ifeoma Adichie; their six children: Ijeoma, Uchenna, Chuks, Okechukwu, Chimamanda and Kenechukwu; as well as nine grandchildren, in-laws and many relatives.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Signed:
Chuks Adichie
For the family
Signed:Chuks Adichie
For the family.
Early Life of Professor J.N Adichie.
Conceived in Abba in 1932, Prof J. N. Adichie had his first education at Nimo Primary School before proceeding to Awkuzu Primary School and had his secondary education at Our Lady’s High School Onitsha (1947-48) and Yaba Technical Institute, Lagos (1948-1950).
He went to the University College, Ibadan where he studied Mathematics from 1957-60, graduating with distinction. He worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria and later at the recently settled Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology in Enugu (presently University of Nigeria, Nsukka) before moving to the US where he acquired a Ph.D in Statistics from the University of California, Berkley in 1966.
After coming back to Nigeria, he held different positions at the University of Nigeria. He consistently climbed positions until he turned into Nigeria’s first Professor of statistics in 1976. He resigned from the college in 1997, having once filled in as Deputy Vice Chancellor.
Prof J. N. Adichie is survived by his better half Ifeoma Grace Adichie, six children and numerous grandkids.
Knowing how much Chimamanda Adichie reveres her dad, we can just envision how obliterating this misfortune must be for her and her family.
May his spirit find happiness in the hereafter. We also pray that the family finds solace.
May the soul of Prof Adichie rest in peace.
May God grant Chimamanda and the entire Adichie family the fortitude to bear this huge loss.