…as a friend throws surprise 43rd birthday dinner

By Benjamin Njoku

It was meant to be a quiet night with her kids. But it ended with tears, laughter, and a room full of love.

Uche Elendu was left emotional days ago after a close friend, Chi-Rawgold, organized a surprise birthday dinner for her 43rd birthday.

Elendu, who turned 43 on Wednesday, had stepped out in a beautiful stitched yoly dress planning to take her children out for a low-key dinner. Unknown to her, Chi-Rawgold who she calls “more than a sister” had gathered friends and colleagues for a full celebration in her honour.

The moment she walked in, the birthday girl was met with cheers, gifts, and what she described as an “undiluted shower of love.” The surprise moved her to tears.

In a video shared on Instagram, familiar faces including Anita Joseph, Sophia Williams known as Divalioussphy,1 on Instagram, Caroline Adua, Prophetess Gift Nwanugo and Vrich Okafor were spotted celebrating with her.

“My birthday gifts got me emotional, especially my iPhone 17 Pro Max 1TB for my content,” Elendu wrote. “I had a fabulous day. It was wholesome.”

Meanwhile, before her birthday, the Actress-turned-gospel minister has announced plans to use her craft to spread the gospel, with faith-based film projects in the works.

At 43, she says this new age will be about purpose, family, and using her platform for ministry. For her friends, the surprise dinner was their own way of honouring that journey.