By Tony Adibe
The Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), in Enugu State has reacted to the sudden death of its former Chairman, and founder/Chief Executive Officer of the Enugu-based Delta Publication novelist Dillibe Onyeama on Friday, insisting that the late famous writer would never be forgotten in the “world of creative writing.”
In a statement issued on Saturday by the state chairman, Mr. Zulu Ofoelue, ANA, Enugu State said, “it received with shock news of the death of the eminent author, publisher and former chairman of ANA Enugu, Mr Dillibe Onyema at the age of 71.”
“Dillibe will never be forgotten in the world of creative writing to which be contributed so much,” wrote Ofoelue, who also recalled, how, as an undergraduate in 1988, he had upon joining the association, encountered the popular author of “Nigger At Eaton” and other notable writers at the time in Enugu.
While asserting that Dillibe Onyeama was “one of the greatest names in creative writing in Nigeria,” Ofoelue said that his novel, “Godfather of Voodoo” and many other books catapulted him to limelight.
The statement read: “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 bookfair 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 was 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 be contributed so much. May his soul Rest In Peace”.
