By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Family members, colleagues, friends and well-wishers have held a service of songs in honour of the late ARISE TV news anchor and lawyer, Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, who died after armed robbers attacked her residence in Abuja on Monday, September 29.
The service of songs, which took place at the Corpus Christi Cathedral in D/Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on the evening of Wednesday, October 15, is part of the activities lined up for her burial, slated for Friday, October 18.
In his sermon, a cleric, Reverend Father Eze Charles, consoled the immediate family and all those affected by Sommie’s passing.
He reiterated the inevitability of death, stressing that it is not how long one lived on earth but how well and what impact the individual made during their life, urging the congregation to reflect on what they would be remembered for when they are gone.
The priest noted that Sommie lived an impactful life, which was evident in the outrage her death caused in the country.
He stated: “Let the family take heart, and for everyone that is affected, take heart also. What will you be remembered for when you’re in this theatre called life, because death is inevitable?
“We are all gathered here because of Sommie. What will friends, society say about you when you are gone? Nigeria, the whole world is bleeding because of Sommie. She was a good woman, a generous woman of faith and soldier of the Cross.”
Rev Father Charles further urged the congregation to take solace in the fact that God’s faithful ones will reunite with her on the final day, while admonishing her family and all well-wishers to hold onto God always and be comforted that she led a good life.
“This woman was a good woman. I am sure she has gone to be with the Lord. The number of years is not the true measure of one’s life. We encourage her family and all affected to be strong,” the priest said.
The Cathedral Administrator, Corpus Christi, Reverend Father Martin Amadi, described the late journalist as a bright and shining light and the star of her family.
He said: “It is unfortunate that Sommie is no longer with us. We commit her soul into God’s hands and pray that God console her immediate family and all who are affected by her death.”
Osi Maduagwu, who spoke on behalf of the family, thanked the church, friends, and well-wishers for their support since the incident occurred, saying, “As a family, we solicit your continuous prayers.”
