Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have expressed grief over the death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a 29-year-old anchor with Arise News Media, who passed away on Monday in Abuja.
Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie, reportedly died after jumping from the balcony of her Katampe residence in the Federal Capital Territory while trying to escape from suspected armed robbers.
In her condolence message on Tuesday, the First Lady described the late journalist as “one of the nation’s young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession,” noting that it was painful to see her life “cut short in her prime.”
She extended her sympathy to the Chairman of Arise News Media, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, as well as to Maduagwu’s family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. She also expressed hope that those behind the attack would be apprehended quickly and brought to justice. The First Lady prayed that “God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased and gives her family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”
Atiku, in a tribute shared on his X handle on Monday, said he was heartbroken by the incident.
“I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise TV newscaster who was killed in an armed robbery attack in Abuja,” he wrote.
“My condolences also go to the management and staff of @ARISEtv. It is my prayer that the family, friends and colleagues be comforted by this loss at such a very young age,” he added.
Obi, also writing via his X handle, described Maduagwu as “a brilliant young anchor and trained lawyer whose voice engaged, informed, and inspired many.”
He emphasised that her tragic death was not only a personal loss to her family and colleagues but “a huge blow to journalism and to our nation.”
The former Anambra governor further called for stronger efforts to secure citizens’ lives, saying, “No Nigerian should go to bed fearful of what the night may bring, or lose their life in such senseless ways.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her grieving family, the Arise News family, and all who mourn her. May her soul rest in peace, and may we, as a nation, work harder to build a country where lives are valued and protected.”
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