Tears and sorrow filled the air on Saturday as the remains of Arise Television news anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly known as “Sommie,” were laid to rest in her hometown of Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The funeral Mass, held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Agulu, was attended by family members, friends, colleagues, and dignitaries who came from far and wide to pay their last respects. Her interment followed at about 1:30 p.m., marking the final goodbye to a vibrant journalist whose life was tragically cut short.
Among the mourners was the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, who joined the grieving crowd to honour Sommie’s memory.
In his sermon, Reverend Father Peter Ezewuzie of St. Theresa’s Parish urged the family to take solace in the fact that Sommie lived a purposeful life, even if it was short.
“The Lord who created us knows the beginning and the end,” he said. “You may be unhappy that a young life was cut short, but God’s plan is greater than ours. The only thing you owe her is your prayers. She is in a better place now. The worth of life is in its quality, not its length, and she lived a quality life.”
Speaking after the Mass, Peter Obi described Sommie’s death as a painful and irreplaceable loss.
“We cannot question God,” he said. “When I first heard about her death, I didn’t even know she was from Agulu. This is a great loss, but it is the will of God. Before I left Birmingham yesterday, I told people I was hurrying home for the burial of one of my daughters. Please continue to remember her and her family in your prayers.”
Representing the Maduagwu family, Sommie’s uncle, Mr. Obi Maduagwu, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Arise News for their constant support since her passing.
“We deeply appreciate the management of Arise News,” he said. “They have stood by us since the beginning. We also thank everyone who came all the way to comfort us.”
Somtochukwu Maduagwu’s promising life came to a tragic end in September 2025 after she was killed during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Abuja.