By Ori Martins





I was attending a technically strategic meeting, critical and crucial, alongside immediate past State Organizing Secretary, Imo PDP, Nze Law Biaduo, erstwhile legal officer, Imo PDP,  Kissinger Ikokwu, and former Aboh Mbaise LGA chairman, Chief  Richmond Osuji, when the heartbreaking News  of Lady Chioma Bright Njoku's passing broke. 


Ikokwu shouted alas: "Ori, I am sure what I read few minutes ago about Bright Njoku's wife is a huge joke",  he alarmingly retorted. "And what about her", I enquired. "They said she is late", he hollered. My head sparked. My heart quaked. My stomach rumbled. And my legs nibbled. And I asked: " Has Chidiebube Okeoma confirmed it". It was in the affirmative. All of us wailed. 


All of Osuji, Ikokwu and Biaduo, in that order, reached out to the bereaved to condole with him. I was shocked he received all the calls and spoke like a Spartan commander who lost his men in a battlefield. That opened a new vista of Njoku's life to me - behind that simple and quiet face belies a man with grits and strong will


I watched Lady Chioma from a distance albeit she was my employer for six weeks in the early days of her Onion newspaper. She was the pillar of the house while Bright was the engine room. Chioma was Bright's eye. She saw while Bright directed and took charge. Chioma was light and Bright was the vision that got the mission accomplished. Both physically, metaphysically and professionally, Chioma was the driver and Bright was vehicle that led to the glorious destination. 


How Chioma and Bright came to be like David and Jonathan was absolutely incomprehensible. Their union was a almost a perfect chemistry. They were together all the time, including at leisure ports. Their love was sensationally abiding, total and complete. They understood each other that they communicated with all parts of their bodies effectively  and third parties with them cannot decode their ways. It was love made in heaven. And marriage made possible by true love. 


Yes, Chioma was among the best in all ramifications, as those around her can attest. She very much had resemblances with the late May Ellen Ezekiel. MEE  Mofe-Damijo. MEE was the editor in chief of Quality magazine and the publisher of Classique newspaper. Chioma was the publisher of Onion newspaper. Both women died to surgery related cases. MEE was just 39 when she died. 


I also compare Chioma with Eva Peron, the late enterprising wife of Juan Peron of Argentina. Eva was an angelic beauty, so also was Chioma. Both were very much attached to their husbands that they truly became one. Eva died tragically at the age of 32 years. Of course, Marilyn Monroe was the American lady that changed the entertainment industry globally. Her stunning beauty and that of Chioma had many things in common. Both died in their prime. Monroe was just 32 when she died mysteriously. 


You see, Chioma must be eulogized because she cut the figure of an international bookwoman. When you recall the way and manner she loved her chain of newspapers and how she worked hard to promote them, you remember Anne Frank, the lady whose well kept diaries let the world to have a glimpse into the Nazis atrocities of the Holocaust. She died before she was 20 years!!!  Finally, the sudden death of Princes Diana whose name meant goddess of hunting who unfortunately became the most hunted person in the world at that period, has much to say about Chioma who loved life but perished while struggling to save her life. Like a beautiful flower, she flourished. And like a flower, Chioma vanished, leaving us in this state of awe. 


May her soul rest in peace. Chief Njoku, take heart and look after your family, particularly the kids.