They called him my husband. Apparently, he had a huge crush on me as a young boy and he was ever so shy and would run away each time I came around. His Aunt, the renowned Jigida Star Uche Ibeto is a good friend and colleague. Together we ran the first Association of Female Artistes in Nigeria. This young man after his father’s death held the family business together and propelled it even further. I was so proud of his sense of dedication and commitment to family and duty. Then a few weeks ago, the news came that he passed away. It was stunning and deeply painful.
This morning, I spoke to his heartbroken mother, High Chief Ifeoma Ilodibe. I am still stunned but I take comfort in the knowledge that God is on the throne and He knows everything. His faithfulness is not in question. He will comfort, compensate and make sense of everything.
To the Ilodibe family, I say Ndo nu! Ka anyi rapu ya n’aka Chukwu. We are all in God’s hands. There is no better place to be. Go in peace Ekene Chukwunonso, my shy ‘husband’. You did great, beyond every expectation. Rest well, at the Lords feet, till we meet again.
Onyeka Onwenu.
