Today’s crew is deeply saddened by the terrible event that has happened.
Uche Ojeh, who was married to NBC journalist Sheinelle Jones for many years, died recently after a struggle with glioblastoma, a difficult brain tumor.
This situation cannot be put into words.
Recently, Sheinelle’s co-hosts — Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, Dylan Dreyer and Jenna Bush Hager — shared the heartbreaking news live on Today as they felt “profound sadness,” stated People.
Guthrie said, “We cannot find words for how much we feel for Sheinelle and their kids now.”
Uche was a wonderful person. All of us loved him. Let’s send a message to Sheinelle, Kayin, Uche and Clara and the Ojeh family: we are your loved ones. We love you and we’re sending you our love right this minute.
Melvin, feeling very close to Ojeh, said, “He treasured the kids more than anything else and had so much pride in them.” He attended each and every one of his children’s soccer games. He was present at every concert and every recital. That was him.
Both a loving husband and a dedicated father
To her fans, Ojeh was remembered most as Sheinelle’s husband and father of her children, but he was much more than that — he was a beloved and extremely respected presence in her life for close to two decades.
The couple spent 18 years as a married pair, making their lives revolve around their three children: 15-year-old son Kayin and 12-year-old twins Clara and Uche.
Jones first encountered Ojeh in his senior year of high school, when she was a freshman at Northwestern University. It was on that campus that their spark turned into a future engagement. Eight years after they met, the time was right to marry and they did in Philadelphia on September 2, 2007.
Those who knew him best remembered him for being warm, calm and strongly devoted to his family and faith. He never missed a chance to watch his children in games, concerts or while they were enjoying family time. He performed in the church choir, valued his Nigerian roots and helped his kids appreciate that culture too.
He made her happy, as Peter Guthrie said during the sermon, because his joy and strength worked perfectly with her nature. Uche made every place he was in better and happier with his presence.
The first thing Sheinelle says
Initially, Sheinelle chose to say nothing about her husband’s death and had not been on the Today show since December to look after Ojeh, calling the situation a “family health matter” in an Instagram post in January. On Friday, she gently spoke out, sharing the emotional tribute to her late husband in a video and writing under it: “Thank you for being so kind and understanding. ❤️”
The tragic news has upset both viewers and staff at Today, who are now standing by Sheinelle and remembering Ojeh together.
As someone wrote online, “We were always happy to see Sheinelle on our morning news.” Let’s help to lift up those who need us now. RIP Ojeh!
