Members of the class of 1960 have been notified of the passing of their classmate, Engineer Julius Nnnanna Amadi. The sad event occurred on January 19, 2026.
Amadi J., the one his classmates preferred to call “Gbogo”, was the number one student in academic and scholastic aptitude among his classmates.
His brilliance generated intense competition and a healthy rivalry that ultimately brought out the best in the rest of his highly talented class. They challenged him term after term, but the first position in almost all subjects seemed reserved for Gbogo at the annual Prize Awards.
Gbogo often needed help carrying the load of prizes he won to the dormitory.
In his tribute, Dr. Ike Loius Ojogwu wrote as follows: “A very brilliant man has returned to his maker. His physical disability notwithstanding, he was endowed with a sound mind and he excelled academically.”
Dr. Okey Ajaero wrote from Madrid, Spain: “In life you were great, humble and unassuming.” The rest of his classmates – Dr. Kaine Ikwueke, Dr. Emma Udogu, Professor C.D. Ike, Professor Enoch Nwachukwu, have all sent in their condolences.
Amadi Julius was present at the 60th anniversary of the Class of 1960 held at Government Secondary School Owerri Compound in March of 2020. Also present at that homecoming event were Dr. Ike James Wihioka, Dr. Aneze Chinwuba, Dr. Innocent Onyejiaka (HSC transfer), Professor Enoch Nwachukwu and Professor Philip Amadi.
The hotel we stayed in served as a rendezvous. We were privileged to dine and wine. We broke bread together at the same table like old times. We cracked jokes, shared pleasantries, and reminisced with lots of laughter and happy tears.
Gbogo was going through some health challenges at the time, but we were glad he was there to share that special moment of camaraderie, the last of which happened 56 years earlier.
Unknown to us, that 2020 Reunion fulfilled a higher purpose. The excitement and joy of nostalgia had hardly dissipated when Dr. Wihioka, Dr. Chinwuba, and Dr. Onyejiaka passed away in quick succession. The 2020 Gala Night and Banquet became our last supper together. But the memory of what these Great Ogssians represented, all they meant to us and the special bond we all had growing up at Owerri continued to endure.
And now, Gbogo is gone. As we mourn, we must continue to thank God for the opportunity we had as classmates for as long as it lasted.
Amadi Julius is survived by his wife Madam Virginia Nnenna Amadi and four children. The first son Jawachi is another great Ogssian. He has been in touch with his dad’s classmates. We join the family in praying to God to receive Julius kindly. May his soul rest in peace.
Prof. Phyl Amadi, Sch/New House, sent in this tribute on behalf of the Class of 1960
