‘He Did His Family, Guardian And Nigeria Proud’ –  BHM CEO Ayeni Mourns Chuks Nwanne

Chief Executive Officer of BHM Holdings, Ayeni Adekunle, has mourned the death of journalist and General Manager, Northern Operations of The Guardian Nigeria, Chuks Nwanne, describing him as a loyal friend, committed media leader and patriot who served his organisation and country with distinction.

Nwanne died on Saturday, October 3, 2026, following an illness.

Adekunle, in a tribute to the late journalist, recalled meeting Nwanne when he was still a music journalist, describing their early years in the industry as a period when young reporters travelled across the country, worked together and built friendships.

He said Nwanne’s loyalty became evident as their relationship developed, describing him as “one hell of a loyal and committed friend.”

Ayeni further attested, “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.”

The respected communication strategist said Nwanne supported his personal initiatives as well as the projects of his companies, while offering counsel and insight when needed.

“He had this calm, patient, sagely demeanour that made you never want to not have him in your corner,” he revealed.

Reflecting on Nwanne’s professional legacy, Ayeni disclosed the journalist used his position in the newsroom to champion truth, support under-covered talents and promote the arts, culture and creative industries.

He said Nwanne also helped give visibility to people and projects he believed deserved attention, “without any commercial considerations.”

“My company and I are beneficiaries,” the BHM CEO asserted.

He described Nwanne as a journalist who combined professional responsibility with a commitment to people and causes he considered deserving, saying his contribution was particularly significant in an era when reputation and substance were increasingly being challenged by the race for attention.

Ayeni also paid tribute to Nwanne’s life beyond journalism, describing him as a devoted husband and father, a man deeply attached to his hometown, Ogbunnike, and a “fully detribalized Nigerian patriot.”

“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 further revealed.

Adding, “He did his family, his organization, and his country, Nigeria, proud. It’s a big loss.”

Ayeni also disclosed that conversations with Nwanne’s wife, colleagues and mutual friends following his death reinforced his understanding of how deeply loved and respected the journalist was.

He described the loss as devastating to those who knew him, while reflecting on the uncertainty of life and the need for those still alive to make their time count.

“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,” he shared personal conviction about the dreaded soul-snatcher.

Ayeni stated mourning the dead also offered an opportunity for the living to reflect on their own mortality.

“For really, who knows who’s next?” he asked rhetorically. 

He prayed for the peaceful repose of Nwanne and for strength and comfort for the family he left behind.

Ayeni also urged those still alive to use their time meaningfully, saying: “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.”

He concluded the tribute with a prayer for Nwanne’s family and for the late journalist to rest peacefully.