By BC Aroh
I always admired Kelvin Ugwu as a growing boy. My greatest treasure then was a world-receiver radio set. I used to have at least two, not because I had money but because when one failed to get Voice of America clearly, I reverted to the other. I loved Emperor Barrymore’s sports program, and Richard Kotti’s baritone voice.
But I loved the FM radio station owned by Enugu State Government then. Kelvin was among the natural golden voices that held listeners spellbound, alongside Gboliwe Iwobi, Mike Anene, Ik Agu, Uche Eluke, Luke Mgbor, and other great presenters. I was later to realise that most of them were secondary school leavers, but talented presenters, with a good command of the English language.
Kelvin’s airwave nickname was Big Brother on Radio, BBR. He changed it to Big Brother Kelvin many years later. Ik Agu, a baritone voiced guy, answered ‘The Mighty’. Luke answered ‘Mr Magic’, with Eluke answering ‘DJ Tikko’.
I had yearned to see these great guys. Then I met Kelvin. It was at Obollo Hotel, during a wedding that he was the MC. The voice I knew was his. When he was less busy, I approached him, and told him I was his fan. He was happy, and wished me well.
One Friday morning, I heard his golden voice on Radio Nigeria’s Network News. He had moved on: from ESBS to FRCN. What a deserved move!
Fast forward: he told me in Abuja many years later that he got the FRCN job after Mbaka’s prophecy. Mbaka had told him during an event he, Kelvin, hosted that former Enugu Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and his entourage did not attend because he (Mbaka) would officiate at the event. Mbaka prophesied that Kelvin would get a national job, ‘where my worth will be beyond politics’.
“Senator Ayogu Eze called me,” said Kelvin, “And after every every, I got a job as a presenter at Kapital FM, Abuja, owned by FRCN. After a few weeks as a presenter, I was deployed to Network News by the head of news, Zakari Mohammed.” And Kelvin became a national figure.
When Nsukka Zonal Citizens, Abuja, gave him an award some ten years before his retirement, he told me he would like to retire happily, and would love to go into charity, praising his God, and counselling.
I recall as a favoured media consultant of some agencies in Abuja then, I was always mandated to be the MC or find suitable ones. When I wasn’t prepared, I always engaged Kelvin. He was always the best. That was how Kelvin and sportscast guru Frank Idemudia Alapa, BigID, became my ‘tight’ friends.
I had always been in touch with Kelvin since I left Abuja, though I can’t figure out my last meet with him. We spoke daily, and he was always ready to teach me many things through his usual voice notes. He also was sending me morning devotions and good wishes.
When he retired this year, we chatted. He gave glory to God Almighty. He had many job offers, and I guess he had a stint at Armed Forces Radio in Abuja. I can’t be sure.
Before his retirement, he personally told me that he was also running a postgraduate program at UNN. I realised he left academics for sometime to train his relatives. He said having been born in midst of growing ones, he couldn’t get to the apex of his academic pursuit, but ‘it is never late’.
Then the bang! I was told about his death. I called his two numbers. They rang. But no answer. Then I know that an unsung hero is gone.
A native of his Umundu community in Udenu LGA of Enugu State told me Kelvin did not build a house in his village, but that ‘he assisted many people’. Yes, he wouldn’t because he was planning for tomorrow that never came.
Broadcasters, and journalists generally, are always famous, but just few have the warchests. Kelvin preached Heaven all through the time I knew him. May he find his mansion in Heaven.
Kelvin has joined the likes of Austin Okoma, Zakari Mohammed, Ikenna Ndaguba, Nik Onyia, and Richard Kotti of VOA. I know there will be radio stations in the Luminous Heights where they will work.
Kelvin was excellent in acting, music, dancing and ‘MCiiing’.
God alone is Holy.
Aroh wrote from Ezimo
