To Adaego With Love

To Adaego with Love is a 2025 Nigerian drama about love after the Biafran War. Set in 1975 Enugu, it follows Adaego Ezekwe, played by Chisom Agoawuike, a young Igbo school teacher who seems not touched by the war's bad times. She meets Major Balarabe Bala Alkali, acted by Adam Garba, a Northern soldier sent to help build trust with locals. Their love starts slow but grows fast, like a forbidden story. Adaego's dad, Chief Ezekwe, done by Bob-Manuel Udokwu, hates the idea because he lost much in the war, like his business tools taken by the government. He stands for Igbo anger and says no to peace talks. Adaego's mom, by Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, is underused but supports quietly. The grandmother, played by Onyeka Onwenu in her last role, tells sad tales of losing her son to soldiers, making Adaego face the pain. Bala is strong at first but softens with Adaego's care. They sing songs like Love Nwantinti and church tunes to show feelings. The story jumps in the end to letters between them when Bala is away, showing hard life as a soldier's wife. The film mixes romance with talks on healing the country but does not go deep into war horrors. It avoids hard truths about the army's bad acts. In the close, the love wins over fights, but it shows real peace needs justice for old wrongs. The dad sets aside his hate for the couple. Directed by Nwamaka Chikezie in her first big film, written by Brenda Ogbukaa-Garuba. It won awards at AFRIFF 2025 for best film and script. Runs about 2 hours, with nice old-time clothes and places. Other actors like Alfred Atungu and Demi Banwo add to the group. It's a mix of sweet love and sad history, but some say it feels half done.