Mr. Ifeanyi Maduagwu, the father of Arise News presenter, Somtochukwu, who was killed in armed robbery incident in her Abuja residence last Monday, has said that his daughter was so passionate about making a positive impact in Nigeria, rather than return to the United Kingdom where she had lived and studied.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, explained: ‘Her decision was driven by a genuine desire to make a difference. She strongly believed that the way things were going in Nigeria was wrong and that her voice needed to be heard at home. She wanted to be part of the solution, to speak up and push for the changes this country desperately needs.
‘It is heartbreaking that her dreams and passion for this country were left unfulfilled. My only plea is that the government should urgently address the issues that continue to put citizens at risk and do more to safeguard lives’.
Maduagwu recalled that his daughter first returned to Nigeria when she completed her studies in the UK to attend the Law school, then then participated in the national youth service.
‘I had already booked her ticket to return abroad for her master’s. But she insisted she wanted to work for at least two years in Nigeria to gain experience before going back, and she did exactly that.
‘After completing the two years abroad, she eventually returned to Nigeria. I didn’t even know she was coming back at that point; it was something she was quietly discussing with her mother. But I have to accept it as her destiny,’ he said.
He said that his daughter had an intense interest in helping the less privileged. ‘She was passionate about helping the needy and ensuring women’s voices were heard in politics. Her biggest aspiration was to one day become a senator in Nigeria’, he said.
He recalled his memorable moments with his daughter: ‘The most recent was in Tangier, Morocco, from 4 to 9 September 2025. We went to the beach together and also took a city tour on one of those double-decker buses. It was such a beautiful bonding moment, just father and daughter, sharing time and creating lasting memories’.
Maduagwu said that, although Somtochukwu’s first priority was to establish herself, she got engaged along the line. He said: ‘Such matters (having a fiancé) are usually discussed more with the mother. During our family trip to London and Morocco, her mother mentioned that many suitors had been coming for her, but she always said she wanted to first establish herself before thinking about marriage. She didn’t want to be dependent on a man. Eventually, she got engaged’.
Maduagwu, who hails from Agulu in Anambra State, recalled how he got the tragic news about his daughter: ‘Honestly, it was a tragic and devastating experience. I was at work when I received a call from my elder brother, asking me to urgently come to Port Harcourt. I was surprised and pressed him further, wondering what could be so serious that required my immediate presence.
‘Barely 15 minutes earlier, I had spoken with my wife. So after my brother’s call, I decided to ring her again, since she was the last person I had spoken with. When she picked up, I said, “Sweetie, I just wanted to call someone, since you were the last person I spoke to”, and then I ended the call.
‘But that unsettled her. Unknown to me, she had already received a few calls from people who had been trying, without success, to reach Sommie that morning. My call only heightened her anxiety. She immediately tried contacting her elder sister in Abuja and my co-in-law to see if a driver could be sent to Sommie’s apartment to check on her.
‘Meanwhile, I reached out to my company’s management to arrange a chopper to get me out quickly. Sadly, by the time everything became clear, the worst had already happened. It is so painful because, after all her efforts, my daughter’s passion and dreams for Nigeria were cut short’.
He said that Somtochukwu had already planned to cook for her kindred, especially on 26 December, to mark her 30th birthday. ‘Her birthday is on 26 December. She had already planned for it. She said she wanted to go to the village to cook for the kindred, especially the children. She did the same about four years ago when we visited the village, and she was really looking forward to doing it again. She also had a burning desire to go into politics and contribute to turning things around in Nigeria’.
Maduagwu spoke about the early years of his daughter. ‘I had Sommie on 26 December 1995. After her birth, for over five years, we didn’t have another child. So she became the handbag of the house. Everywhere we went, it was ‘Sommie, Sommie, Sommie’.
‘She was such a lively child. At any party, she would shine, dancing, laughing and communicating effortlessly. She was full of life. Her death has pierced my heart like an arrow’.
On what he would miss about her, the father said: ‘I will miss everything. Her care, her constant calls: ‘Dad, have you eaten? Are you taking good care of yourself? Have you checked your vitals?
‘It’s not easy, my brother. It’s not easy (fighting back tears). I don’t want to cry anymore; the tears I’ve already shed are enough’.
Source: Saturday PUNCH
