It was at about 9:40pm on Tuesday March 15, 2022 that I received a call from Emeka’s wife Dr (Mrs) Betty Obasi informing me that Emeka had stopped breathing. This was few hours after I visited him at Genesis Hospital GRA Ikeja. I was devasted by the news.

I have known Emeka for more than 20 years. Every time we met, we shared great moments and he always lit up the room with his radiant smile and energy. Emeka lived an impactful and exemplary life.

Emeka was a true leader in his home, industry and the nation as a whole. In his home, he was a devoted husband to his wonderful, graceful wife, Dr (Mrs) Betty Obasi and a loving father to his children, Emeka (Jnr), Onyedikachi, Kamsi and Miracle. He loved God passionately and always shared testimonies of His goodness.
Emeka was also a true leader in his industry and nation.

He was a patriot who fought for a better Nigeria. He set the standard for real journalism as the head publisher
of Hallmark Newspapers and created the Zik awards platform to encourage and nuture leadership on the
African continent and in the Diaspora. He was truly a great role model and an inspiration to many. He was
always bubbling with ideas and was not shy speaking truth to power. He was a man of courage and great
conviction.

Emeka was a dear friend to many and most especially to me. We shared so many pleasant and memorable
moments together with both our families. Despite his health challenges, Emeka made relentless efforts to
make frequent visits to my home just to spend quality time along with his family. He never allowed his health
condition to rob him of his humanity. He remained his jovial and ebullient self till he passed.

I cannot end this tribute without a special commendation to Emeka’s amiable wife and soul mate Dr (Mrs) Betty Obasi. Betty is the biblical virtuous woman in Proverb 31:10-12 “who brought only good, not harm, to her husband all the days of his life.”

Betty sacrifced everything and stood by Emeka through his health challenges. A woman of deep faith in God. God will reward her labour of love and remember her for good.

Emeka will be sorely missed, and we pray that God will comfort and strengthen his wife, children and entire
family to bear this painful loss.

May his soul rest in peace.
Adieu!
Ernest C. Ebi, MFR, FCIB