Who is a star? To the world, a star is someone on a stage under bright lights. But to me, a star was Micheal Boniface Achu. AKA BiBi. AKA Shevaun.

Micheal (He always preferred the Irish spelling) and I met in October of 2010. We had been in line waiting our turns to audition for Nigerian Idol Season 1. It was the Enugu auditions held at Universal Hotel, Independence Layout. I had seen him at other auditions prior to this one. Particularly, the Enugu auditions for Peak Talent Show Season 1, held at Hotel Presidential the year before. At the Idol auditions, some of us contestants formed circles. We were just chattering, singing, running scales, showing off, doing whatever we could to while away time while we waited our turns.

He was with his sister in another circle standing a bit close to our own circle. He then approached me and said, “Hi. Can I get your number?” But I thought maybe he was talking to the person standing close to me. But he then said, “I was actually talking to you”. And I was like, “Me?”. And he was like “Yes you”. And that was the beginning of a friendship that, while full of its own drama and spirit, was altogether lovely.

Like most friendships and relationships, ours definitely had its ups and downs. A little drama here, a little drama there. But it was altogether lovely. I would go to his house or he would come to mine, and we would sing our hearts out. Other times, we would go to the houses of our other music friends to hang out and play music. Other times, they would come to ours. It was on rotation like that. We would give ourselves songs to learn and sing during our next hangout.

Earlier this year in January during the new year celebrations, I travelled to The East to spend some time with family. I stopped in Anambra to spend some time with my godmother and her family before going to Enugu. I sent him a message on Facebook to let him know I was going to be in town and wanted to know if he'd be around. But there was no response for about two weeks until I got to Enugu.

Then I spoke with Chidi Mokwe, a friend of ours, asking about Micheal. He said BiBi hasn't been feeling well and was prioritising his wellbeing and recovery at the moment. Chidi and I also made plans to meet at one of the lounges where he hosts karaoke.

Wednesday the 21st of January, while we were doing karaoke, Chidi got Micheal's number from a stand-in band mate who also came for karaoke, and forwarded to me. I called Micheal, we spoke, and fixed a day to meet. Could have been the next day which was 22nd, but I didn't finish work on time that day so we pushed it to Friday the 23rd.

He had been on dialysis at the time I went to visit him. We hadn't chatted or spoken in a little over 2 months. Our last chat prior to this visit was in October. We spoke about a lot of things. Music, singing, songwriting, some of the projects I have been working on, the projects he was working on. Old-time friends, places, and stuff. We tried to catch up on so many different things. 

He wanted us to go for karaoke that night and called another friend to find out if he was available for the hangout. He said he was feeling tired but was going to try and gather some strength so we would go out and sing together again after such a long time. But even I didn't want to go to karaoke, and we eventually didn't go. In hindsight, I wish we did. I wish we sang together that one last time. If only I knew.

After spending over a month in The East, I got back to Lagos. We stayed in touch. I kept checking on him to know how he was doing. Praying and hoping for his full recovery. He would send voice notes of him singing. The last voice note he sent me was him doing Lana Del Rey's Black Bathing Suit. I knew how he really wanted to get back to singing again. How he really wanted to get back with his Ref Music Band mates again.

Tuesday, 17th of February, we had a WhatsApp call and spoke briefly about his health. We talked about him getting back in his band. We talked about how incredible it would be to perform at The Grammy Awards in the nearest future. We talked about working together. So many things.

Wednesday, 4th of March. Eleven days to BiBi's birthday. I missed a WhatsApp call from Chidi at 8:23 AM. I had been busy with work and called back later at 11:47 AM. No answer. He called back at 11:54 AM to say "Ifu ife m' post na WhatsApp Status m'?". My heart skipped for a second, wondering what it might be.

I asked what it was, but Chidi just wouldn't say. I guess he didn't know how to say it. Perhaps saying it would have felt a bit too heavy. So, I checked his status. He had posted a video of him and BiBi doing Frank Edwards' Oghene Do, plus other videos of them singing together. In the videos, Chidi mostly played the guitar while BiBi sang.

The most shocking thing was the caption that indicated that BiBi had passed away. I called Chidi back asking if it was a prank or something. He said it wasn't. He said one of his band members, and even BiBi's pastor made a post about it. But somehow, I hoped this was indeed a prank that his pastor was also in on.

And so, I tried calling him via a phone call, but it wasn't connecting. And then I called him on WhatsApp, there was no answer. I sent a WhatsApp message, and it delivered. "Oh! Thank God. At least the message delivered. This must be a prank." I said to myself. Then I called again. This time, someone answered. But it was Eche, BiBi's brother.

I asked how he was doing, how Micheal was doing, and also asked if I could speak with Micheal. He said he was sorry but Micheal passed away last night. Then I was like "Micheal stop playing. You gotta be kidding me. Is this a trick?" (Micheal and Eche kinda sound alike, so I thought Micheal was the one who tweaked his voice a little to play a trick).

And so, dear Eche said he wished it was a trick, but it wasn't. I couldn't believe what I had just heard and so I asked what the next thing was. He said he would keep me updated. And that he did. Every day, I prayed that somehow, it was all a prank still. I prayed that even if it was real, somehow God would raise Micheal back to life.

And here we are. We don't have all the answers. We don't know if things would have ended differently if we had it another way. I don't know. No idea at all. All I know is that I miss my dear friend and his angelic, beautiful voice. I wish he was still here with us. I have cried enough for him, and I can't promise that I won't cry again and again every time I remember him. Every time he comes to my mind. Because the whole situation is worth crying for. Anyone who's been with Micheal or who's been friends with Micheal knows he's worth crying for.

Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts will never be the same for me. I first heard the song at karaoke. Micheal sang it at a karaoke lounge we often visited. Indulge Lounge, Enugu. It was 2013, on his birthday. I loved it. I fell so in love with the song I couldn't wait to get home. I downloaded it and started learning it. By our next karaoke, I had fully learnt the song and performed it at karaoke.

So many other songs I fell so in love with at first hearing because of Micheal. Those songs will be constant reminders of Micheal and all our lovely times together. I saw something Eche posted the other day on WhatsApp. It was Beyoncé's Dangerously in Love playing in a car. He wrote in the caption that the song always reminds him of BiBi. I could relate instantly.

And so, as Micheal will be laid to rest on Saturday, 4th April, it's going to be raining tears. But I will always remember the good times we shared together. I will always remember his voice. I have tons and tons of his voice notes singing. Those, I will always hold dear to my heart. All the texts, photos, and videos. I will always hold dear to my heart.

Eche, thank you for carrying me along through this difficult process. Through you, I have been able to stay close to my dear friend. I pray for comfort and strength for the Achu family, for every friend, and for every loved one.

We shall see Micheal Boniface Achu again on the resurrection morning. On that day, we will sing together again forever. Until then, the star still sings.

💔

Whether you’re in traffic, on your third cup of coffee, or pretending to work while mentally on a beach in Zanzibar, remember, you’ve already survived worse. This Monday? E go collect. Now go forth and slay with poise, with grace, and just enough sarcasm to keep things interesting. Let’s go make chaos look classy. 💅🏾