Journalist Abdul Okwechime who interviewed notorious armed robber Lawrence Anini is dead

Abdul Okwechime

Veteran journalist and media consultant Abdul Okwechime is dead.

QEDNG learnt he died on Friday.

Mr Okwechime was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier in the year and was due to undergo surgery before his death.

His death was announced by chief executive officer of RadioNow Kadaria Ahmed in a Facebook post on Saturday.

Parts of the post read “It is with utter surrender to the will of God that I announce the tragic passing of our colleague and brother Mallam Okwechime Abdul.

“He was one of the kindest and most helpful people I have ever known.

“It is very unlikely that you will find someone more willing to put his network, time and resources to promote and support others.

“My deep condolences to his family but especially his daughter Firdaus, whom he adored.

“May Allah have mercy on all of us.”

Kadaria Ahmed added that Okwechime will be buried at the National Mosque in Abuja on Saturday.

Born Ndubuisi Okwechime, the deceased changed his name to Abdul after his conversion to Islam.

One of his biggest stories was an interview with notorious armed robber Lawrence Anini published in the now-defunct THISWEEK magazine.

He also interviewed Anini’s mother after her son was arrested.

Okwechime was an acolyte of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and maintained a close relationship with the musician’s family until his death.  

He was until his death the head of editorial of The Explainer, a weekly publication by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).