How Lagos, Imo state govt supported my surgery, varsity education in America - Kechi Okwuchi

Singer and finalist on the reality TV show, America’s Got Talent, Kechi Okwuchi has disclosed the sort of help she received from individuals and state government following the fatal Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 crash on December 10, 2005.

Okwuchi is one of the two survivors of the incident that claimed 107 lives, 60 of which were her schoolmates from Loyola Jesuit College.

Speaking in an interview with The Punch, the singer said she didn't get any form of support from the federal government but from the Lagos State government at the time and the Imo State government.

She also disclosed that her school has been supportive throughout the ordeal.

Read excerpts of her interview with The Punch

My school has always supported me from day one. The president and principal of the school came to see me when I was at the hospital in South Africa. Aside from that, fellow students have been supportive and I know the school put up a memorial for the 60 angels (students) that were lost that day (in the plane crash) from the school. I also know that they always celebrate me in school. In the school’s chapel, they also have something called ‘With Kechi we are strong’, which I felt was very sweet of them.

My alma mater has always been in my corner and they have always shown me support. They have always been on my side. During the 10th anniversary of the accident, I went back to my school and they hosted a graduation ceremony for me. I was not able to graduate officially from the school, because the accident happened before my graduation. When I went back to the school, they gave me my official graduation robes, and officially made me a graduate of the 2006 set. That was extremely sweet and it meant a lot to me. I saw friends from my set. They all knew the graduation was going to happen but they did not tell me.

Also, I know the Lagos State government was financially supportive, especially when my friends and family raised funds for me in 2009. The funds raised then were enough for me to continue my surgeries in America. I do not think the Federal Government supported though. However, when I wanted to do my MBA programme, the Imo State (where she hails from) government helped to fund a larger part of it. I know Sosoliso Airline also supported financially before they shut down completely. They formally apologised to my family and I as well.