By Chuckie Nneji
The news of Segun’s passing broke yesterday, and since then my heart has been heavy in a way I cannot fully express. Some friendships are planted by chance, but they grow into brotherhood by grace — that is what Segun became to me.
From the very first day Prince Senator Lanre Tejuoso introduced us, I knew I had met someone with warmth, humility, and a rare sense of purpose. Our bond deepened through the years, and I still remember our days in Abuja with clarity — days of honest conversations, shared dreams, and genuine camaraderie.
I remember especially his close relationship with Alhaji Modibo, former Minister of FCTA — a relationship so genuine that he and I could walk into Modibo’s office at any time without an appointment. That is the kind of respect Segun commanded: quiet, natural, and rooted in sincerity. His relationships were never transactional; they were earned by character and nurtured with loyalty.
I watched him serve as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo with the kind of dedication that is not common in public service anymore. Later, as Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, he transformed the institution with vision, energy, and an open heart. It was no surprise that President Jonathan appointed him, and President Buhari retained him — because impact speaks louder than politics. And indeed, when he was finally replaced in 2021, the entire sector celebrated him, not out of protocol, but out of respect for a man who genuinely made a difference.
Segun was more than his titles. He was a kind soul. A loyal friend. A man who carried his family name with dignity and carried his friendships with sincerity. He listened. He encouraged. He never pretended. And he always found a way to make people feel valued.
And now, my brother, as you reunite with our dear friend Captain Idahosa Hosa Wells Okunbo, please greet him for me. Tell him we are doing well, moving forward with strength, and carrying the values he lived by. Tell him we still remember his kindness — how he carried people’s burdens as if they were his own.
Today, I honour not just the public figure, but the friend I was blessed to walk with in this life. His passing is a painful reminder that greatness is not measured by how long we live, but by the light we leave behind. Segun’s light touched many, and it will continue to shine.
May God comfort his family, strengthen all who love him, and grant his gentle soul eternal rest.
Rest well, my beloved brother and friend, Segun Awolowo.
You lived well. You served well. You loved well.
*Chief Chuckie Nneji, is
Odibo Oha II na NkanuLand.
