At 78, Adichie's Mother Dies On Her Husband's Birthday

By Izunna Okafor

Barely five months after the burial of her father, award-winning Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, has also lost her mother, Mrs. Grace Ifeoma Adichie, to the cold hand of death.

Confirming her death, a source close to the family revealed that Mrs. Adichie suddenly died on Monday, March 1, 2021, in Awka, the Anambra State Capital. The date coincidentally was the 89th posthumous birthday of her husband.

"It was very sudden, and we are devastated,” the source said.

Mrs. Adichie who was an administrator and the first female Registrar at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, died at the age of 78, not up to one year after the death of her husband, Prof. James Nwoye Adichie, which occurred on June 10, 2020.

She was also a Board Member of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB.

Sympathizing with the family, released, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano said, "I was saddened by the sad news of Mrs Adichie's death and I sympathize with her children and the entire Adichie family who are again thrown into mourning just few months after burying their father, Prof James Adichie. This is indeed a grievous loss. 

"Mrs Adichie lived a life of selfless service. Her contribution and great service to Anambra state will not be forgotten. I pray for the peaceful repose of her soul."

Late Mrs Grace Ifeoma Adichie is survived by Ijeoma Adichie, Uchenna Adichie, Chuks Adichie, Okey Adichie, Chimamanda Adichie, and Kenechukwu Adichie (children), as well as grandchildren, in-laws and other relatives.

The family will announce funeral arrangements in due course.