Architect Egbuonu: A Murder So Painful

By Gideon Njoku

Asomba Andrew Egbuonu, an accomplished Architect, has just died. Egbuonu, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, FNIA, was also the Chairman of the Architectural Exhibitions and Competitions Committee of the Institute.

A former Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the NIA, he died in a most painful manner. He died in a manner unbearable and unthinkable to members of his family.

They are confused, and still wondering why. A Knight of St John’s, KSJ, Egbuonu was murdered by hoodlums as he was preparing to bury his mother, a task any good son would perform.

He had left his base in Rivers State, and was headed home to his State Anambra, and community, Nnewi, to prepare for his mother’s funeral.

Her funeral was scheduled for  Thursday, November 21 2024. So, he needed to be home for the preparations.

But on his way home, indeed, he was already near Nnewi, he was attacked by gunmen. Thereafter, he was rushed to the hospital where he courageously battled for his life. He fought bravely to be alive and give his mother the befitting funeral she deserved.

But on Sunday, November 17, his brave heart stopped.  He died. And, instead of giving his mother a befitting burial, he joined her in the mortuary. So, the Egbuonu family has two corpses in the mortuary – mother and son. Anambra’s soul has been taken over by the devil itself!

To think that he drove all the  way, safely from Rivers State, but was killed in his own State, perhaps, by his own Igbo brothers who should have protected him from harm.

Egbonu’s heartbroken colleague, who is the Honorary General Secretary, NIA, Arc. Chike Chamberlain Ibeanu, FNIA, broke the sad news to their other colleagues thus:

“Distinguished Colleague, it is with a painful and heavy heart that I announce the death of our brother, Arc. Asomba Andrew Egbuonu FNIA, KSJ.

“He died yesterday, Sunday, 17th November, 2024, following complications occasioned by gunshot wounds he sustained after being attacked by yet-to-be identified gunmen near our hometown town of Nnewi.

“He was heading home to conclude arrangements for his mother’s burial on Thursday 21st November, 2024.

“Until his death, Arc. Asomba Andrew Egbuonu FNIA was the Chair, Architectural Exhibitions and Competitions Committee of the Institute and Past Chair, NIA Rivers State Chapter.

“Kindly say a word of prayers for the gentle repose of his soul and God’s strength and comfort for the entire family in this most trying of times.

“Arc. Chike Chamberlain Ibeanu FNIA

Honorary General Secretary”

To that prayer, one can only, helplessly, say AMEN.