Veteran broadcaster, music producer and artiste, Ray-Michael Nwachukwu is dead.
According to a family announcement, the late broadcaster passed away in a Lagos hospital, on Tuesday after a brief illness, he died at 71.
Nwachukwu, popularly known as Ray-Mike, had an illustrious career as radio and television news and music programmes presenter, at Radio Nigeria and the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA.
His phenomenal talent, identified way back in his school days at Government College Ughelli, subsequently landed him a key role in the award-winning ‘Isiburu’ drama, which he played to critical acclaim for months, across key locations in Nigeria.
Ray-Mike was head-hunted and engaged as senior producer, by Lintas Advertising, at the time the biggest agency in Africa. There, he was pivotal in the crafting of many iconic radio and TV commercials that the industry remains proud and excited about, even to this day.
Ray-Mike eventually set-up ARR-EM, one of Nigeria’s earliest state-of-the-art recording studios, which further exposed his competences as a composer, arranger, musician, musicologist and Producer. The Nation is never likely to forget his hit song, “Time Na Money-o, Use Your Time Well”.
He will be sorely missed, not only by the broadcasting and advertising families, but indeed, by all who knew him for his sustained service in philanthropy and uncompromising stand on issues of honour and integrity. Ardent lovers of Favourite Highlife Tunes of Yesteryears, must henceforth, adjust to the absence and pain of that golden voice, with which he presented their favourite programme, every Wednesday on Classic FM.
Ray-Mike is survived by his wife, Bella, children and grandchildren.
