How my dad died…To be buried June 22-Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki)

It is usually devastating losing loved ones, especially those you have shared strong intimacy and affinity with over the years.

In fact, watching such persons die could be very heart breaking and demoralizing.

Such was the fate of Nollywood star Chinedu Ikedieze, famously known as Aki, who cried, cursed and wailed endlessly upon hearing the sad news of his father’s exit, a couple of days ago.

If tears could bring back the dead, Aki’s immeasurable sobs would have done that the day his septuagenarian father, Pa Michael Ikedieze Ogbonna, passed on at the age of 73.

Recounting the painful episode of how his dear dad breathed his last in an exclusive chat with ACTION!, the happily married entertainer, who struggled to hold back tears, affirmed it was a destructive demise.

“I still cannot believe that my dear dad is gone. My dad breathed his last on Saturday, May 18, after a brief illness in a hospital somewhere in Abia State. He was a very nice man who never hurt a fly. A jolly good fellow and full of life, even in death…”

On what he would miss most about his late father and the patriarch of the Ikedieze family, Aki, a proud holder of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), national honour, waxed philosophical.

“I will miss a lot of things about him, he was a great and irreplaceable dad. I will most especially miss his fatherly advice and huge role in the family. He was my friend and we discussed like mates. I could always count on him. He also taught me how to persevere,” Aki recollects in a voice filled with agony.

Not done yet with lamentations over the loss of his father, the Mass Communication graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State, further divulged that plans were on to immortalize Pa Ikedieze.

“About plans to immortalize my late father, yes, we hope to do so very soon. But what is paramount now is giving him a befitting burial. His remains will be interred on June 22, at Uzuakoli, Abia State. Sincerely, I will be honoured by your esteemed presence…”He pleaded.

Meanwhile, several of Aki’s pals and colleagues have been calling to console and commiserate with the bereaved thespian.

In a brief condolence message to Aki, Victor Osuagwu, who stated that the demise of Pa Ikedieze was a huge shock to him and his entire family, equally prayed God to grant Aki and his entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.

“Pa Ikedieze lived a good and worthy life. My prayer is that God will grant him eternal rest and also give the family he left behind, especially Aki, the fortitude to bear the painful loss.”

Osuagwu who is running for the post of Chairman at next weekend’s election of the Lagos State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), also disclosed that Nollywood is currently mobilizing and strategizing on how to storm Uzuakoli on June 22, to help give a befitting burial to the father of one their leading lights.

“We are already mobilizing and planning. Aki is one of our own and we members of his constituency must ensure that his late dad gets a befitting burial. He gave us Aki, so it’s time to show him exceeding love.”