Cindy Amadi 

My sweet friend 

I say goodbye to you wishing things could have been different. So tall, so beautiful, so elegant, so sweet. Cindy was a breath of fresh air. She left you feeling lighter and happier in the world. Imagine my shock when I heard my university friend no longer existed. All that life and its fullness was gone. Cindy is now just a memory.

We met at Swansea University, and both of us were active in the student union. She studied law and then went back to Nigeria where she was building a reputation as a screen goddess, we lost touch when she moved back. She made her mark in history in Nigeria’s first LGBT film ‘ Ife’ about two lesbians finding love and the complexities of that in Nigeria. She played Adoara the lover of Ife ( played by Uzomaka Aniunoh). Cindy naturally was bold, yet easygoing. She had an air of total confidence in who she was. She exuded total self-control and belief. However, she was extremely humble. You were always at ease around her.

The movie’s official page stated , “We are greatly, deeply, and unbelievably saddened to learn about the passing of Cindy Amadi, who played Adaora in #Iféthemovie.” 

Pamela Adie a producer of the movie. celebrated Cindy on her Instagram story, lamenting the fact she wouldn’t be alive to star in the sequel.This wasn’t the idea, Cindy,” “You were thrilled when I assured you we would create the sequel. I’m sorry we couldn’t complete it in time. But we will complete it…for you. Rest in Peace for now,” she wrote.

Cindy’s death was announced on social media on 14 September 2023, the cause of death unknown.

My condolences to all her family and friends.

That is the end of my friend’s story, however she will live on in the arts of those who love her, who can remember the tower of a person and the beauty inside and out she was. The ballad of the dove, girl go with peace and so much love. In my head everyday “I send you away with a love song.”

As the Rent song goes I will remember you in seasons of love. 

“Five hundred, twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes

Five hundred, twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles
In laughter, in strife

In five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in a life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measuring love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love

Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes
Five hundred, twenty-five thousand journeys to plan
Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes
How can you measure the life of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In bridges, he burned
Or the way that she died

It’s time now to sing out
Although it’s not the end
To celebrate, remember a year in the life of a friend

Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measuring the seasons of love
Seasons of love.”

Cindy Amadi the sweet Giant, with a lion’s heart.  Thank you for being my friend. The Earth will miss your sweet soul. I wish you didn’t have to be buried so young. The pain of knowing someone so beautiful didn’t get to see all the beauty life had to offer till old age is heartbreaking. Yet those who love you will always remember you as ‘Ife’ (love personified) in seasons of love and the sweetheart you were.

You’ve left me speechless and wordless my friend. I wish I could make your eulogy more decorated with words but they fail me. I can only express my deep-felt emotions simply because of their intense complexity. It hurts knowing you’re gone. When you were such a good-natured person. 

Goodbye Cindy Amadi. Please continue to plague the memories of those who loved you with your smile and infectious character! That’s how we wish to remember you.