Kechi Okwuchi, one of the two survivors of the 2005 Sosoliso plane crash, catches judges attention at the 2017 America's Got Talent
Kechi survived the 2005 Sosoliso Airlines plane crash in Nigeria that took the lives of over a 100 persons on board. She is one of the two survivors.
After such a harrowing experience, music became her escape as she lied on her hospital bed, bandaged head to foot, not being able to move.
Watch her beautiful rendition of Ed Sheeran‘s Thinking out Loud:
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On the 10th of December 2005, the Port Harcourt bound Sosoliso Airlines flight from Abuja crashed on the runway claiming lives of many including 60 Loyola Jesuit College students. Kechi Okwuchi was one of only two survivors of the devastating crash. 12 years on the road to recovery, this amazing young woman shares her remarkable story of strength and determination.
Kechi, who after several surgeries graduated with a First Class degree from University of Thomas Houston, Texas on May 16th, 2015 was also inducted into 6 academic honor societies. She was the most outstanding student for her major in Economics and has already been accepted into graduate school for her MBA.
Ms. Okwuchi survived the ill-fated Port Harcourt bound flight which crashed on the runway and killed 107 people, including her close friend who was sitting next to her and late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya.
Ms. Okwuchi survived the ill-fated Port Harcourt bound flight which crashed on the runway and killed 107 people, including her close friend who was sitting next to her and late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya.
KechiMy name is Kechi Okwuchi, I’m 28. My birthday was on the 29th of October. I’m the first born of a family of four; my father, my mother and my 12-year-old little sister. I went to Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja for my secondary education. I’m currently in college at the University of Saint Thomas, Houston, Texas, USA.
Amazing Childhood
I had a fantastic childhood, thanks to my parents. While I spent almost all of my holidays with cousins and family in Lagos, my home was back East in Aba. From what my mom and dad tell me, I was a very content and happy kid. I do remember that I was also very talkative (still am) and my teachers would always put into my report cards that yes, she’s very bright, but she talks too much!
I was an only child for eleven years, but I never felt lonely; I had (have) great friends and a lot of cousins.
I had a fantastic childhood, thanks to my parents. While I spent almost all of my holidays with cousins and family in Lagos, my home was back East in Aba. From what my mom and dad tell me, I was a very content and happy kid. I do remember that I was also very talkative (still am) and my teachers would always put into my report cards that yes, she’s very bright, but she talks too much!
I was an only child for eleven years, but I never felt lonely; I had (have) great friends and a lot of cousins.
Life Changing Experience
Prior to the plane crash, my life changing experience was the birth of my little sister in 2000. I went from ‘only daughter’ to ‘big sister’, and it felt fantastic to help raise her.
Prior to the plane crash, my life changing experience was the birth of my little sister in 2000. I went from ‘only daughter’ to ‘big sister’, and it felt fantastic to help raise her.
Before the crash
The Plane Crash
Fifteen minutes to the end of the flight, the pilot announced that we were soon to land in the Port Harcourt airport. I remember I was sitting in an aisle seat, and my close friend Toke was on the aisle seat to my right. The ensuing turbulence was getting very frequent, but I didn’t think too much of it until someone from the back shouted ‘Is this plane trying to land?’ I couldn’t see out the window from my seat, but now I think about it that was probably for the best. Everything was so surreal in that moment. I turned to Toke and we held hands, and I was like ‘Maybe we should pray?’ Before we could even start, there was this sudden shrill sound ringing in my ears, and next thing I knew, I was waking up in Milpark Hospital, South Africa. To this day I don’t remember the actual impact of the crash.
Fifteen minutes to the end of the flight, the pilot announced that we were soon to land in the Port Harcourt airport. I remember I was sitting in an aisle seat, and my close friend Toke was on the aisle seat to my right. The ensuing turbulence was getting very frequent, but I didn’t think too much of it until someone from the back shouted ‘Is this plane trying to land?’ I couldn’t see out the window from my seat, but now I think about it that was probably for the best. Everything was so surreal in that moment. I turned to Toke and we held hands, and I was like ‘Maybe we should pray?’ Before we could even start, there was this sudden shrill sound ringing in my ears, and next thing I knew, I was waking up in Milpark Hospital, South Africa. To this day I don’t remember the actual impact of the crash.
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Regaining Consciousness
The first voice I heard was feminine and unfamiliar; it was a nurse and she kept calling my name, asking me if I could hear her. As I roused, I remember feeling completely numb and completely exhausted in a way I couldn’t quite understand. Eventually I saw my mom’s silhouette; I could tell she was smiling, but I remember wishing I could see her face more clearly, ‘cause my vision was very blurry. As I lay there, I knew that things were pretty bad, but that she was right there beside me made me feel such relief, I can’t even explain.
The first voice I heard was feminine and unfamiliar; it was a nurse and she kept calling my name, asking me if I could hear her. As I roused, I remember feeling completely numb and completely exhausted in a way I couldn’t quite understand. Eventually I saw my mom’s silhouette; I could tell she was smiling, but I remember wishing I could see her face more clearly, ‘cause my vision was very blurry. As I lay there, I knew that things were pretty bad, but that she was right there beside me made me feel such relief, I can’t even explain.
75 Surgeries and Counting…What keeps me going
My friends and family keep me going. Their love, their presence, physical and emotional, their prayers and the prayers of all who support me. I’m fully aware that the recovery period after any surgery is never easy or short, but I also know from experience that not only will God see me through the procedure, He’ll also see me through the recuperation.
My friends and family keep me going. Their love, their presence, physical and emotional, their prayers and the prayers of all who support me. I’m fully aware that the recovery period after any surgery is never easy or short, but I also know from experience that not only will God see me through the procedure, He’ll also see me through the recuperation.
Getting into College
Applying for college was actually fun for me; I’d been out of school for so long that by 2010, I was quite eager to get back into it. School had always been a necessary tedium in the past, so this feeling was a first for me.
I took the SATs and TOEFL and applied to three schools within Texas, including the one I’m currently attending. I was initially supposed to transfer to Rice University after my 1st semester, but I fell in love with the UST campus so I stayed on. UST kind of reminds me of Loyola Jesuit College; I guess I couldn’t help getting attached.
So far, I can honestly say that college has been challenging and fun. It’s very different from my high school experience, because I’m studying things that I’m actually interested in. As a student I couldn’t ask for better.
Applying for college was actually fun for me; I’d been out of school for so long that by 2010, I was quite eager to get back into it. School had always been a necessary tedium in the past, so this feeling was a first for me.
I took the SATs and TOEFL and applied to three schools within Texas, including the one I’m currently attending. I was initially supposed to transfer to Rice University after my 1st semester, but I fell in love with the UST campus so I stayed on. UST kind of reminds me of Loyola Jesuit College; I guess I couldn’t help getting attached.
So far, I can honestly say that college has been challenging and fun. It’s very different from my high school experience, because I’m studying things that I’m actually interested in. As a student I couldn’t ask for better.
Stares and Questions
I always get those awkward stares. How do I deal with them? When I think about it, if the situation were reversed and someone who was burned like me walked past me on the street, I would most likely be inclined to look at least once; it’s human nature to be curious. So I don’t begrudge anyone who stares. If it’s a kid, a Nigerian or an African-American, they’d usually ask me about it upfront, and I have no problem telling anyone who asks what happened. I guess it’s safe to say that my positive attitude makes it easier for others to treat me normal, which is something I greatly appreciate.
My Support System
There’s truly nothing like prayer. It reinforces faith, which gives you courage. It calms me when things get really hard to deal with. If there’s one thing I learned through this experience, it’s the value of faith. Then of course, there’s my dear family, who have been nothing but solid rocks on which I lean on. My friends, too. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the absolute truth. Without these three elements, I may have made it this far regardless, but I would not be the same person I am right now, mentally.
There’s truly nothing like prayer. It reinforces faith, which gives you courage. It calms me when things get really hard to deal with. If there’s one thing I learned through this experience, it’s the value of faith. Then of course, there’s my dear family, who have been nothing but solid rocks on which I lean on. My friends, too. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the absolute truth. Without these three elements, I may have made it this far regardless, but I would not be the same person I am right now, mentally.
Kechi with Mom
My Family, My Rock!
It’s been hard for my family for sure, but I suppose I must have gotten my optimism from somewhere. The glass is always half-full with them, and I take pride in and strength from that fact. We have always been very close, but this entire experience brought us even closer, to each other and to God. They are my biggest supporters!
It’s been hard for my family for sure, but I suppose I must have gotten my optimism from somewhere. The glass is always half-full with them, and I take pride in and strength from that fact. We have always been very close, but this entire experience brought us even closer, to each other and to God. They are my biggest supporters!
Mom, Kechi & Sister
Kechi and Dad
My Awesome Friends…True Gems!
My friends are fantastic. True gems. They keep me grounded, and they treat me no differently than when we were all in school together. There were a few who didn’t quite know how to treat me or behave around me when they saw me for the first time after the accident. But after talking for a few minutes they were like, “Oh, it’s the same stupid Kechi, sef”, and they immediately relaxed. As for relationships, no, I am not in one right now.
My friends are fantastic. True gems. They keep me grounded, and they treat me no differently than when we were all in school together. There were a few who didn’t quite know how to treat me or behave around me when they saw me for the first time after the accident. But after talking for a few minutes they were like, “Oh, it’s the same stupid Kechi, sef”, and they immediately relaxed. As for relationships, no, I am not in one right now.
For You, Yes, You Reading This…
I would say this…I may not know exactly what you’re going through and I’m so sorry you have to go through it. But I can tell you what I believe – No, it’s never hopeless, and yes, you ARE strong enough to get through this. In this life, too many unexpected things happen, but the truth is that God will never allow any one person to suffer through more than he/she cannot overcome. So, not only are you equipped to pull through, people around you are also equipped to help you on your way, whether they know it or not. So please, keep up your willpower! God bless you.
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A tribute to the Angels
By Kechi Okwuchi (survivor of the Sosoliso Plane Crash)
It seems like yesterday
Full of excitement
We chatted non-stop
All the way to the plane
It seems like yesterday
We made plans, discarded them
Made new ones
Our future bright
It seems like yesterday
When we dropped out of the sky
To noise, to pain, to…silence
To glory
It seems like yesterday
That God had different plans
To take us to greater heights
A future not foreseen
On angels’ wings we flew
Racing past the clouds
Racing up to glory
Enveloped by His Grace
Though not with you in glory
I am a part of you
Left behind to continue the legacy
Left to run the race
As long as there is breathe in me
Dearest 60, you are not forgotten
Through the pain of yesterday
A million tomorrows are born.
© Kechi Okwuchi
Bellow is the official manifest:
SOSOLISO AIRLINE-FLIGHT 1145 OFFICIAL MANIFEST
SOSOLISO AIRLINE-FLIGHT 1145 OFFICIAL MANIFEST
S/N- NAMES -TITLE- SEX
1. ABBA K. MASTER MALE
2. ADAKA K. MASTER CHILD
3. ADEBOLU O. MASTER MALE
4. ADEWOGA V. MISS FEMALE
5. ADEYEMI B. MASTER MALE
6. ADILORLY D. MASTER MALE
7. AIKONBARE O. MISS FEMALE
8. AKPAN O. MRS FEMALE
9. AKWIWU A. MR MALE
10. ALIGBA P. MRS FEMALE
11. AMACHREE O. MASTER MALE
12. AMANZE E. MISS FEMALE
13. ASARA A.P. MR MALE
14. AWAYI C. MASTER MALE
15. AWAYI U. MASTER MALE
16. BAA V. MASTER MALE
17. BABA R.Z. MISS FEMALE
18. BADEU I. MASTER MALE
19. BANIGO E.S. MR MALE
20. BUNMI AMUSAN MRS FEMALE
21. CHIGBO C. MASTER MALE
22. CHUKWUNENYE MR MALE
23. COOKEYGAM K. MR MALE
24. DANIEL-KALIO, Z F MISS FEMALE
25. EDETH S. MRS FEMALE
26. EGWEKE U. MASTER MALE
27. EHIMOHA J. MR MALE
28. EJIKEME O. MR MALE
29. EKEFRE U.O. MR MALE
30. EKERE A.N. MR MALE
31. EKERUWA A. MASTER MALE
32. ELLAH I.A MISS FEMALE
33. EMESIOBI C. MR MALE
34. ENTE C. MR MALE
35. EZE GODWIN MR MALE
36. EZERIBE A. MR MALE
37. GBEMUDU S. MISS FEMALE
38. IBEH I. MR MALE
39. IBIAM M. MASTER MALE
40. IDABOR A. MASTER MALE
41. ILABOR B. MISS FEMALE
42. ILABOR C. MISS FEMALE
43. ILABOR M. MASTER MALE
44. ILOBI I. MRS FEMALE
45. ILOBI N. MRS FEMALE
46. IROEHAMA S. MISS FEMALE
47. KAMANU C. MASTER MALE
48. KEMARA H. MRS FEMALE
49. LAMY I. MR MALE
50. LOOLO I. MISS FEMALE
51 .MANILLA A. MRS FEMALE
52. MBA C. MR MALE
53. MBA I. MRS FEMALE
54. MOGBA M. MR MALE
55. MONAGO A. MASTER MALE
56. Njoku.l. Miss Female
57. Nkagnieme U. Miss Female
58. Nnebedum C. Master Male
59. Ntemuse E.K. Miss Female
60. Nwadei V. Miss Female
61. Nwafor O. Mr. Male
62. Nweze C. Miss Female
63. Nwigwe C. Master Male
64. Nwoko S. Miss Female
65. Nzelu C. Master Male
66. Nzenwa A. Mrs. Female
67. Obi A.N. Mr. Male
68. Ochulo M. Mrs. Female
69. Odukoya B. Mrs. Female
70. Ofoegbu B. Mrs. Female
71. Ofor M. Mr. Male
72. Ogundipe O. Mr Male
73. Ojebode S. Mr Male
74. Okafor C.O. Master Male
75. Okemini I. Miss Female
76. Okereke O. Miss Female
77. Okolie C. Mr Male
78. Okoro U.M. Mr Male
79. Okpe D. Master Male
80. Okuegbu I. Mr. Male
81. Okwuchi K. Miss. Female
82. Ola E. Mr. Male
83 . OLakpe C. Mr. Male
84. Onwuka U. Mr Male
85. Orbit W. Master Male
86. Oyebode M.S. Miss Female
87. Ozigbo C.C. Mr. Male
88. Ozueh P.C. Mr. Male
89. Riessa J. Mr. Male
90. Toju O. Mrs. Female
91. Tony-Okeke I. Miss Female
92. Ubah I. Master Male
93. Udeozor R. Master Male
94. Ukairo C. Master Male
95. UtukP.I. Mr. Male
96. Uzo U. Master Male
97. Uzodi B.C. Mrs Female
98. Whyte V.I. Mr Male
99. Whyte V.I. Mrs. Female
100. Wills W. Master Male
101. Zikoka U.O. Master
1. ABBA K. MASTER MALE
2. ADAKA K. MASTER CHILD
3. ADEBOLU O. MASTER MALE
4. ADEWOGA V. MISS FEMALE
5. ADEYEMI B. MASTER MALE
6. ADILORLY D. MASTER MALE
7. AIKONBARE O. MISS FEMALE
8. AKPAN O. MRS FEMALE
9. AKWIWU A. MR MALE
10. ALIGBA P. MRS FEMALE
11. AMACHREE O. MASTER MALE
12. AMANZE E. MISS FEMALE
13. ASARA A.P. MR MALE
14. AWAYI C. MASTER MALE
15. AWAYI U. MASTER MALE
16. BAA V. MASTER MALE
17. BABA R.Z. MISS FEMALE
18. BADEU I. MASTER MALE
19. BANIGO E.S. MR MALE
20. BUNMI AMUSAN MRS FEMALE
21. CHIGBO C. MASTER MALE
22. CHUKWUNENYE MR MALE
23. COOKEYGAM K. MR MALE
24. DANIEL-KALIO, Z F MISS FEMALE
25. EDETH S. MRS FEMALE
26. EGWEKE U. MASTER MALE
27. EHIMOHA J. MR MALE
28. EJIKEME O. MR MALE
29. EKEFRE U.O. MR MALE
30. EKERE A.N. MR MALE
31. EKERUWA A. MASTER MALE
32. ELLAH I.A MISS FEMALE
33. EMESIOBI C. MR MALE
34. ENTE C. MR MALE
35. EZE GODWIN MR MALE
36. EZERIBE A. MR MALE
37. GBEMUDU S. MISS FEMALE
38. IBEH I. MR MALE
39. IBIAM M. MASTER MALE
40. IDABOR A. MASTER MALE
41. ILABOR B. MISS FEMALE
42. ILABOR C. MISS FEMALE
43. ILABOR M. MASTER MALE
44. ILOBI I. MRS FEMALE
45. ILOBI N. MRS FEMALE
46. IROEHAMA S. MISS FEMALE
47. KAMANU C. MASTER MALE
48. KEMARA H. MRS FEMALE
49. LAMY I. MR MALE
50. LOOLO I. MISS FEMALE
51 .MANILLA A. MRS FEMALE
52. MBA C. MR MALE
53. MBA I. MRS FEMALE
54. MOGBA M. MR MALE
55. MONAGO A. MASTER MALE
56. Njoku.l. Miss Female
57. Nkagnieme U. Miss Female
58. Nnebedum C. Master Male
59. Ntemuse E.K. Miss Female
60. Nwadei V. Miss Female
61. Nwafor O. Mr. Male
62. Nweze C. Miss Female
63. Nwigwe C. Master Male
64. Nwoko S. Miss Female
65. Nzelu C. Master Male
66. Nzenwa A. Mrs. Female
67. Obi A.N. Mr. Male
68. Ochulo M. Mrs. Female
69. Odukoya B. Mrs. Female
70. Ofoegbu B. Mrs. Female
71. Ofor M. Mr. Male
72. Ogundipe O. Mr Male
73. Ojebode S. Mr Male
74. Okafor C.O. Master Male
75. Okemini I. Miss Female
76. Okereke O. Miss Female
77. Okolie C. Mr Male
78. Okoro U.M. Mr Male
79. Okpe D. Master Male
80. Okuegbu I. Mr. Male
81. Okwuchi K. Miss. Female
82. Ola E. Mr. Male
83 . OLakpe C. Mr. Male
84. Onwuka U. Mr Male
85. Orbit W. Master Male
86. Oyebode M.S. Miss Female
87. Ozigbo C.C. Mr. Male
88. Ozueh P.C. Mr. Male
89. Riessa J. Mr. Male
90. Toju O. Mrs. Female
91. Tony-Okeke I. Miss Female
92. Ubah I. Master Male
93. Udeozor R. Master Male
94. Ukairo C. Master Male
95. UtukP.I. Mr. Male
96. Uzo U. Master Male
97. Uzodi B.C. Mrs Female
98. Whyte V.I. Mr Male
99. Whyte V.I. Mrs. Female
100. Wills W. Master Male
101. Zikoka U.O. Master
Crew
1. Captain B. Adebayo - Pilot Male
2. F/O Gerald Andan - First Officer Male
3. Joyce Egbekobar - Purser Female
4. Sophia Iroegbu - Cabin crew Female
5. Amaikwu Emeka - Cabin Crew Male
6. Theresa Dike - Cabin Crew Female
7. Akeem Odebunmi - Engineer Male
2. F/O Gerald Andan - First Officer Male
3. Joyce Egbekobar - Purser Female
4. Sophia Iroegbu - Cabin crew Female
5. Amaikwu Emeka - Cabin Crew Male
6. Theresa Dike - Cabin Crew Female
7. Akeem Odebunmi - Engineer Male
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