By Sunny A. David, Onitsha
THE wife of a veteran Journalist, Alphonsus Nweze, Mrs. Chioma Nweze has narrated how two younger brothers of the husband sold his land for N12 million three days immediately after the burial.
Late Nweze, known for his coverage of Anambra State while living in Asaba, died in early October this year following a motor accident on his way home from Onitsha and was buried on the 14th of last month.
He is survived by his wife, Chioma and four children.
She narrated the sad development last Saturday when members of the Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel paid her a condolence visit at the family’s residence in Asaba.
The delegation, led by the Chapel Chairman, Chief Chuks Ilozue, presented a cheque of N600,000 as part of a support fund raised by fellow journalists and other concerned individuals.
While expressing appreciation for the gesture, the grieving widow broke down in tears as she recounted how her husband’s siblings allegedly disposed of his property while the family was still mourning.
Her words: “I beg you to continue praying for us. Just three days after my husband’s burial, two of his younger brothers went and sold Alphonsus’ (my husband) land for N12 million without consulting me or my children.
“When he was alive he resisted pressure from relatives who were urging him to sell it. My husband refused to sell that land because he wanted something secured for our children. Now, after his burial, they went and sold it. I heard they requested the account number of someone my husband trained, saying they would send what they claimed was my husband’s share through him. I told them I am not interested.
“It was inappropriate for anyone to involve me in land sales or financial dealings so soon after husband’s death. I cannot be selling land or collecting proceeds just after burying my husband. They should keep our portion of the land. We are not selling”, she stated in tears.
The governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo had earlier sent a condolence message to the family.
The message reads, “On behalf of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, I deeply express profound grief and condolences to the Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel on the tragic and untimely demise of their member, Mr. Alphonsus Nweze, a dedicated journalist with Apex News, an online publication.
“Mr. Nweze, was a committed member of the Correspondents’ Chapel, who lost his life in such a painful fatal road accident on Tuesday afternoon along the Onitsha-Asaba Express Road, leaving behind not only his dear family, friends and colleagues but also memories of his passion for truth, integrity, and public service through journalism is tragically painful.
“We will continue to remember him as a diligent and courageous reporter whose work contributed meaningfully to the information landscape of Anambra State.
“Alphonsus Nweze was more than a journalist; he was a voice for the truth and an advocate of responsible reporting. His untimely death is not only a loss to his family and colleagues but to our entire state. We will miss him”.
