On Saturday, October 3, 2026, we lost a very dear friend. Mr. Chuks Nwanne, Art and Culture journalist and general manager, northern operations at The Guardian Nigeria, passed on, sadly, following an illness.
I was still a music journalist when I first met Chuks. We were all hungry, passionate reporters travelling the country, collaborating and engaging in all sorts of shenanigans. It took some time before we became acquainted, and eventually, friends. But once we did, it was easily obvious that Chuks was one hell of a loyal and committed friend. When he’s in your corner, he really was in your corner. No games. No drama. No bullshit. Rare, in an industry and age where everything’s pretty much fair weather.
Chuks supported everything I did personally, championed our companies and projects, and provided insight and counsel where and when it mattered. He had this calm, patient, sagely demeanour that made you never want to not have him in your corner.
The world has changed so much over the last decade. We’re now in an age of clout where everyone has a voice; where rage and rabble appear to rank over reputation and substance. An age where all the barriers have been broken and access decentralized. But long before now, when it mattered, I’m proud to say that Chuks Nwanne was one of the guys who used his position in the newsroom and at The Guardian to champion truth, give voice and influence to undercovered talents, support the arts, culture and creative industries and platform projects and people who truly deserved it – without any commercial considerations. My company and I are beneficiaries.
When I spoke with his wife and some of our colleagues and mutual friends over the weekend, I wanted to be sure that they recognized how loved and respected Chuks was; how much he meant to everyone who knew him; and how devastating this loss is for everyone. He was a husband and father who loved his wife and kids greatly; a son-of-the-soil who loved his hometown Ogbunnike deeply, a media leader who served The Guardian passionately and honourably; and a fully detribalized Nigerian patriot. He did his family, his organization, and his country, Nigeria, proud. It’s a big loss.
I have no fear or respect for death; or indeed anything whatsoever that takes what it cannot give; reaps where it does not sow- plucking where it hasn’t planted. And I know, because I’ve been taught to put death in perspective, that when we mourn those who have gone ahead of us, we are in a way mourning our own pending passage. For really, who knows who’s next?
I pray that God Almighty will grant Chuks Nwanne a peaceful rest. I pray that God will comfort and support the family he’s left behind. I pray that God will teach those of us still on this side to use whatever time we have left here to truly add value, make good impact and always remember that it’s all a lottery and tomorrow is not granted to anyone.
Amen.
– Ayeni Adekunle, CEO, BHM Holdings