Even from those early days at Fashade Close, Oregun, Emeka had the clear inclinations of greatness: he
connected easily, built quality relationships, debated intensely and engaged fercely. Emeka was upbeat;
brilliant in his ideas; confdent in his skin; effervescent; the quintessential soul of the party yet was quite
humane when you drew close. It was simply impossible not to notice Emeka – and his shrill voice. Emeka was
my brother, Uche’s neighbour at Fashade Close and most of the times when I visited, the duo – amidst banters, humour, refreshments and full meals – debated sundry issues of our national life. Nothing was off limits!

Gradually, I connected – and thus began a long and happy relationship with my entire family. We grew to know his family too – as well as his large coterie of extended relations, who often streamed in and out of his
modest residence at the time. My parents and siblings easily connected with Emeka’s deep sense of humour – as well as with his sometimes uncommon predilections.

At Uche’s traditional wedding ceremony in December 1996, Emeka, laced in Isi-agu attire and with a Dane gun to boot – in rare enactment of old Igbo traditional practice – dragged a full goat along as gift to the celebrants, which he blasted in full glare of our guests. He then gave gun salutes. This was as rare as it was entertaining. The locals talked about this incident for a long time. Such was the depth of the man’s humour and uncommon choices.

Emeka lived life largely on his own terms. He was deliberate in his career choices, playing in the spaces of his greatest competence: Journalism and Public Relations. Without any shred of doubt, he was quite accomplished, chalking up awards and setting public debate agenda on both platforms. His editorial and public opinion pieces were as pungent as they were engaging. I easily recall many of them, especially the ones that rattled men-of-the-moment.

Was there anyone I know with the courage of conviction? Emeka was one, and he will get my votes many times over. I recall putting a call across one early morning while he was still Commissioner in Abia State. Emeka quickly retorted that he had resigned the day before, after he felt a prompting to move on. Just
like that? Such was his level of personal conviction.

Again, I called him after I needed to make enquiries on his advert ratings in the National Mirror. Emeka – in
characteristic mirth – hinted that he had sold the entire concerns to a certain entrepreneur and had moved on.
He then elected to invest his huge energies and social capital in a new enterprise – Financial Journalism. Such
courage was rare, but that defned the man’s essence – Courage laced with boldness! Furthermore, I recall his
very early beginnings in Public Relations enterprise: Cameo-Ad ventures.

A trade fair of sorts had been muted and Emeka and his partners chose Allen Avenue as anchor point. Allen Avenue of that era was a lot more subdued than it is now. Not unexpectedly, the organizers did not meet their investment objectives, leading to back-end frictions.

Again, Emeka walked away and moved on to other pursuits, never fearing any risks or setbacks. Courage of conviction! There were many instances in his personal life that he took  decisions and made choices that will scare mortals even if they lived a thousand more years on earth.

Emeka was always the perfect host. With his ever dutiful wife, Betty, they daily played host to scores of
visitors and sundry acquaintances. He was always upbeat on those occasions. Even casual visits to their
pristine home at GRA, Ikeja was opportunity for some gastronomic spread, as the cook was put constantly
on his toes. Emeka and Betty both seemed to enjoy those happy moments with their guests, constantly
animating the space with great intellect, wit and laughter.

At the opening match of Euro 2020 between Italy and Turkey on June 11 2021, Emeka invited me over to keep his company. In spite of his personal challenges, he still had control over his environment, cracking up jokes and laughter with the easy charm that became his trademark. He never failed to acknowledge God in his life, recalling his provenance, career trajectory, forays in media entrepreneurship as well as personal challenges, amongst others.

At every turn, he gave gratitude to the Almighty God. When his  second son, Dikachi was due to start studies in the US, 2nd quarter of last year, Emeka and Betty were available to lend praises to God for His mercies and
love. I recall the many hours of praise and worship leading up to his 58th birthday. When I went to see
him, following my inability to be physically present, Emeka chimed in: “Ken, constantly acknowledge God
in all your undertakings…….it is not a joke”.

This now appears to be Emeka’s last words – and parting gift!

Barely one month after, this amazing and awesome gift to our world passed. Says a sage, “Behind the darkening clouds, the Sun still shines…….and Radiates it’s Light – far and near! Emeka’s  physical shadow may have dimmed, but his impact was huge and indelible.

On the day the family made the announcement of his transition, the virtual space went agog  with tributes from erstwhile colleagues and subordinates that he impacted. How I wish he was here to read those
kind words. With his sharp intellect and depth of mind, he questioned assumptions and interrogated conventionality .. our world became better for it. He had the courage of his convictions and lived it. He did not feel entitled.

He loved the  good life and worked exceedingly hard to earn the stripes on his shoulders. Even more, he was blessed with a good and supportive wife and good children. Emeka had grit … he had gravitas – and it showed!

His many acts of quiet philanthropy and support for the less endowed in society will never go unnoticed. As his earthly remains await committal to Mother Earth, may his kind soul journey well.

Ken Ihedioha
For: The Ihedioha Family.
Owerre/Nkwoji, Nkwerre LGA