It was wailing and agony on Saturday in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, as family members, friends, colleagues and dignitaries, including former Governor Peter Obi, gathered for the burial of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie.
Obi, who hails from same Agulu community as the late broadcaster, reportedly flew in from Birmingham, United Kingdom to attend the burial.
Speaking after the funeral Mass at St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Agulu, the former Labour Party presidential candidate described Sommie’s death as heartbreaking and painful reminder of the insecurity plaguing the nation.
“We cannot question God. When I heard of her death, I didn’t even know she was from Agulu before I tweeted about it.
“Before leaving Birmingham yesterday, I told those around me that I was rushing home for the burial of one of my daughters.
“Our coming here will help to console you, but we know that this loss is a huge one. It is the wish of God, and none of us can question God. Please do remember her and her immediate families in your prayers.
“Her loss is deeply painful, but we must accept the will of God and continue to remember her and her family in our prayers,” he said.
In his homily, parish priest of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Rev Fr Peter Ezewuzie urged the bereaved family to find comfort in the faith that Sommie lived a meaningful life, even if her time on earth was short.
“He (God) is an all knowing father, so I urge you to grieve less. God who gave Christelle Somtoo Maduagwu to your family loves her more than you do. The only thing you owe her is to continue to remember her in your prayers. She is in a better place today and will always remember us too.
“The maturity of life is the quality of life lives and not how long, and we can be sure that our sister lived a quality life. Let us strive to live our lives well. We are not here by chance, there is someone who brought us here and he expects that you will live a good life because no one knows when it will be their time.
“The Lord who created us knows the beginning from the end. We may feel her life was cut short, but we cannot see what God sees. The maturity of life is not in its length but in its quality — and Sommie lived a quality life,” he added.
The late broadcaster was laid to rest at her father’s compound shortly after the Mass, around 1:30 p.m., amid an atmosphere of deep sorrow. Many mourners wept openly as her casket was lowered into the grave.
Speaking on behalf of the family, elder brother to the deceased’s father, Mr Obi Maduagwu expressed gratitude to Arise News for standing by the family since the tragedy.
“We thank the management of Arise News. They have been with us from the beginning. We also thank everyone who journeyed from far and near to console us,” he said.
The late broadcaster died tragically in September during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Abuja. Reports said the assailants invaded her home at night and, in the course of the attack. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was later confirmed dead.
Her sudden death sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s media community, where she was admired as one of the promising young faces of television journalism.
Tributes have since poured in from colleagues, friends, and prominent Nigerians, who described her as intelligent, hardworking and full of life.
The burial brought together journalists, government officials, and community members who paid their last respects to Sommie, a bright star whose light was cruelly extinguished, leaving behind memories of brilliance, humility and promise.
@The Nation, excluding the headline