Tears flowed freely on Saturday as the mortal remains of the late Arise Television anchor, Ms. Somtochukwu Maduagwu, fondly known as “Sommie,” were interred in her ancestral home in Agulu, within the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labor Party, Mr. Peter Obi, joined family members, friends, colleagues, and other dignitaries at the solemn funeral rites, during which he lamented the pervasive insecurity afflicting the nation.
Mr. Obi described Ms. Maduagwu’s demise as both “heartbreaking and deeply painful,” noting that it served as a tragic reflection of Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape.
Speaking after the funeral Mass, Mr. Obi, who also hails from Agulu, stated:
“We cannot question God. When I first heard of her passing, I did not even know she was from Agulu before I publicly expressed my condolences. Our presence here today is to console the family, though we recognize that this loss is immeasurable. It is the will of God, and none of us can question Him. Please remember her and her immediate family in your prayers.
Before I left Birmingham yesterday, I told some people that I was hurrying back home for the burial of one of my daughters. I asked them to pray for her as she would be laid to rest today.”
The deceased journalist, who lost her life during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Abuja in September 2025, was committed to mother earth at approximately 1:30 p.m. following a Requiem Mass held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Agulu.
Delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. Peter Ezewuzie of St. Theresa’s Parish consoled the bereaved family, urging them to find solace in their faith and in the knowledge that Ms. Maduagwu lived a meaningful and impactful life.
According to him:
“The Lord who created us knows the beginning from the end. Some may question why such a promising life was cut short, but only God understands His divine plan. He loves her more than you do, and she now rests in a better place.
The true measure of life lies not in its duration but in its quality, and we are confident that our sister lived a life of purpose. Let us therefore live well, as no one knows when their own time will come.”
In his remarks, the deceased’s uncle, Mr. Obi Maduagwu, expressed appreciation to the management of Arise News Channel for their unwavering support since the tragic incident.
“We sincerely thank the management and staff of Arise News, who have stood by our family from the beginning. We also thank everyone who traveled from far and near to be with us,” he said.
The death of Ms. Maduagwu, which sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s media industry, was reported to have occurred after armed assailants invaded her home in Abuja. She was later confirmed dead at a nearby hospital.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the country, with colleagues, friends, and public figures describing her as intelligent, diligent, and full of promise.
Saturday’s burial drew a distinguished assembly of journalists, government officials, and members of the Agulu community, all of whom paid their last respects to a rising media professional whose life, though brief, embodied excellence, humility, and hope.#newsafro_
