CHUKS ADICHIE

James Nwoye Anagbalumnkpu Adichie was born in Abba on March 1st, 1932, into the family of Mr. Nwoye David Adichie of Ezi-Abba village, Abba and Nwamgbafor Agnes Ekwenugo of Igbuala village, Ifite-Dunu in Dunukofia LGA. James, who was baptized in the Catholic Church on August 1st, 1932, was the first of his parents’ three children.

In 1935, he began kindergarten at the Roman Catholic Mission School, Abba, where he also attended Infant 1 and Infant 2. In 1939, he began Standard 1 at the same school but the next year, because Standard 2 was scrapped in Abba, he continued his education at Saint Raphael’s Roman Catholic Mission School in Awkuzu.

In 1946, having attained the minimum teaching age of 14, he began teaching standard 2 at the same school. He later gained admission into Africa College, Onitsha, while also privately studying for the Senior Cambridge Examinations. In 1949, he spent two years completing an instructor’s course at the Yaba Technical College in Lagos. He passed his Advanced level GCE examinations with distinction in Pure and Applied mathematics, English Literature and Latin.

In 1957, he gained admission into the University College, Ibadan, then affiliated with the University of London, to study Mathematics. He graduated in 1960 at the top of his class.

In 1961, he was appointed an Assistant Lecturer in the department of Mathematics, Statistics and Astronomy in the newly instituted University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He got married to Grace Ifeoma Odigwe in 1963 and shortly after he proceeded to the United States to study for a PhD at the University of California Berkeley. He completed his doctorate studies in three years, making him the first Nigerian to hold a PhD in Statistics. He returned to the University of Nigeria in 1966.

During the war, he worked in the Biafran Manpower Directorate. He returned to Nsukka at the end of the war. He quickly rose to Senior Lecturer in 1972, to Reader in 1974, and in 1976, he became a full Professor of Statistics, the first Nigerian to be.

He produced and published quality research, and delivered lectures and seminars in various universities, including Cambridge, Glasgow, Sheffield, and Imperial College London. He was a reviewer for various mathematical and statistical journals and served as Head of Department of Statistics and Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences.

From August 1980 to July 1984, he served as Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria after which he went on sabbatical to the San Diego State University in 1985.

According to his biographers, “Professor Adichie had such a profound effect on the discipline and profession of statistics…he was a calm and confident intellectual giant. Apart from the training of generations of university students, Professor J. N Adichie had in general been the key architect of statistical education in Nigeria”.

What mattered to Prof Adichie most was teaching. He helped establish the National Mathematical Center and worked at the Federal Office of Statistics in Abuja. For those who knew him, these words will forever recur: integrity, wise, honest, thoughtful, loving, strong, quiet, principled, simple, kind.

Emeritus Professor James Nwoye Adichie (Odelu Ora Abba) is adored by his wife, Grace Ifeoma Adichie, his children, Ijeoma, Uche, Chuks, Okey, Chimamanda and Kene as well as grandchildren, Toks, Chisom, Amaka, Chinedum, Kamsi, Arinze, Chimkasi, Munachino and Obidike.

He was also the father-in-law of Obi, Sonny, Tinuke, Oluchi and Ivara as well as uncle of Rose, Nneka, Chimaobi, Amaka, Chioma and Ugonwa. He was a devout Roman Catholic and a titled Igbo man (Odelu Ora Abba), deeply committed to his community.

Vigil mass takes place today at his compound, while there will be Holy Mass tomorrow at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Abba by 10am, thereafter, interment. Outing service holds on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at the same church by 9am. Adieu Odelu Ora Abba!

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