The news of the passing of Osinachi Nwachukwu, the popular Nigerian gospel singer came to me as a shock.

For those who may not have heard of her, Osinachi is the lady who was featured by Prosper Ochimana in the popular gospel hit song, ‘Ekwueme.’ Although initial report claimed that she passed on from cancer of the throat, it wasn’t until much later that it was discovered that she died because of a cluster of blood in the chest from the kick that she received from her husband a few days after the last fight that they had. She was kept on life support for five days at the National hospital before she finally gave up the ghost. Her husband has since been arrested by the FCT police command.

Why should a woman who blessed and inspired the world with her sonorous voice keep quiet in the face of domestic violence? Why did she not cry out for help?

Here are some of the reasons why I think she may have kept quiet in the face of it all.

1. He brainwashed her to think it was her fault and that she was no good to anyone. This is evident in how her husband was said to have disdained her musical career.
2. She may have felt that things could get better if she tried harder to make him happy. This could just be one of the reasons why she kept the abuse away from her pastor and asked those who knew about it to keep it to themselves.
3. He probably may have threatened to hurt or kill her if she dares to leave. He may have even threatened to keep the children away from her if she dares to leave.
4. He may have threatened her that no one would invite her to minister if she left the marriage.
5. The thought of how God hates divorce, and how separating from her husband may bring shame to her family, her community, and the church may be another reason why she stayed on.
   My heart bleeds for Osinachi, a woman who was cut down in her prime. She probably may have been alive today for herself and her children if she had cried out for help.

The need for women to speak up and walk out of abusive marriages and relationships cannot be overemphasized. Just as a leopard may never change its spots, an abusive partner may never stop being abusive. May the soul of Osinachi rest in peace.