The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), has expressed shock over the death of one them; Dillibe Onyeama.
The death of the famous Nigeria writer was announced by his son on Friday, 11th November 2022.
Reacting to the demise of the first blackman to be admitted into British school in the 60s, Zulu Ofoelue, Chairman ANA, Enugu state Branch ,in a statement made available to JOURNALIST101, said the writer will never “be forgotten in the world of creative writing to which he contributed so much.”
The statement reads:
“ANA, Enugu state received with shock news of the death of the eminent author, publisher and former chairman of ANA Enugu, Mr Dillibe Onyeama at the age of 71.
“When as an undergraduate in 1998, I and some friends joined the Enugu chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), meeting great authors such as Prof Anezi Okoro, Mrs Ifeoma Okoye, Mr Dillibe Onyeama and the great economist Ukwu I. Ukwu whose books we read as children, as Co-members was a great motivation. I would enrich my profile further in 2003 when I was elected branch secretary serving along the famous Dillibe as branch chairman.
“He was a driving force who created a number of programmes including the book fair held yearly between 2003 to 2005 which he powered using ANA and his Delta publishing company. Thereafter, he was to continue the book fair later under his Delta Book Club.
“Dillibe was one of the greatest names in creative writing in Nigeria. His novel, Godfather of Voodoo (among many other books) had shot him to limelight when it published in 1985 and it was a book which every young person struggled to read.
“Dillibe will never be forgotten in the world of creative writing to which he contributed so much.
“May his soul Rest In Peace.”
