Dear Onyeka

It’s been three days since your last dance at sunset. I am trying not to be sad, but to understand that everybody has a day when the sun stays away.

I woke up to a brand new day, hoping that what we were told about your sudden death, the previous night, was just a journey on a wild side of today’s social media mundane imaginations. But truly, you are, eternally dancing in the sun(set) of your remarkable life.

I woke up at midnight and sleep refused my eyes. I stayed awake, remembering our so called “tumultuous relationships” throughout our careers in the 1980s. I was a young bohemian entertainment reporter with THE PUNCH. You were a charming songstress that blew our minds with your beauty, your rave and talents as an electrifying singer, an engaging story teller- broadcaster and a great actress.

Both of us were stubborn, single young career focused people. We came to impact our world. You wanted me to write what you liked about you. I wanted to be just as objective as journalism ethics dictated.

Between our stubbornness, we felt deep admiration and appreciation for our creative minds. Thence we fought at every opportunity our presence privileged us. I remember your vexed stirs at me. I also remember my goofs, silliness and young arrogance. Your anger, tickled me.

I was mischievous, unyielding, excited by the privilege to report, write and document the happenings in Nigeria’s complexed entertainment business. We engaged each other whenever our paths crossed: you were famous and legendary. We both happened to our generation, simultaneously.

Onyeka, you were a decade and plus three years older. We had similar disposition because we had pride from our foundations. We were brave, brilliant, beautiful and fearless.

Then came the years. As time began to tick fastest, we learned from each other that through those years, we truly adored each other’s creative brilliance and stubbornness. We felt at peace, as distanced friends, realizing that we were just responses to our moments in life.

Go well, my *elegant* *stallion* . We left our feet prints on the sands and soils of our time! Thank you for the privilege to brand you so!