Chux Ohai
Five years after the death of sensational singer, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, her husband, Chief Edwin Igbokwe, has refused to accept that she is gone. Still reliving the warmth of their relationship and the bond that they shared until Christy, fondly called Lady of Songs, passed on after a brief illness, Igbokwe believes that her presence has not really departed from the family.
Igbokwe was so convinced about his wife’s ‘immortality’ that during the 2016 Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial event, held recently at the Metropolitan Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, he said, “My wife Christy is not dead. She lives in our house with us. She is very pleased with what we are doing.”
According to the widower, who has never ceased to refer to his late wife as a true African legend, the event also doubled as an occasion to celebrate the 56th birthday of the celebrated music icon, albeit post-humously.
Recalling that Christy was passionate about little children and the less privileged, many of whom she assisted through her foundation in different ways, including paying their tuitionfees at secondary and tertiary levels of education, he added.
“Honestly, I feel as if a part of me is not physically with me. But I am glad that she is happy where she is and I’m sure this memorial event will be continued by her children and grand children.”
The Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was in attendance, described Christy Essien-Igbokwe as a lady with a transforming power, saying, “Everything she touched turned to gold and things worked when she stepped in. She was a legend who had set a standard in the entertainment world. She was a multi-talented star. She is never going to die, not with all her achievements. She is a legend. She led a good life and her legacy lives on. We must all join hands to support the foundation.”
Also, speaking at the event, the chief executive officer of Best of the World, Mrs. Joy Chinwokwu, said that the 2016 Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial Evening was the prelude to a forthcoming Evening of Songs and Dance, which would be held every November 11 to mark the singer’s posthumous birthday.
