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The music world is mourning the loss of Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who has died at the young age of 26 following a tragic encounter with a snake. Known for her remarkable talent and versatility, Ifunanya captured hearts through her performances on Nigeria’s rendition of The Voice in 2021, where she masterfully blended jazz, opera, classical music, and soul. Her untimely death in Abuja has left a void in the hearts of her fans and loved ones, prompting an outpouring of grief and heartfelt tributes.
Ifunanya was poised to take her career to new heights with her first solo concert planned for this year. However, her promising journey was cut short when she was bitten by a snake while in her apartment in Abuja. A video capturing the dramatic moment a snake handler removed the reptile from her residence went viral on social media, with onlookers exclaiming, “It is a cobra!” The shocking incident has left many in disbelief, including Sam Ezugwu, co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir, where Ifunanya was a cherished member. He led the tributes, remembering her as a “rising star” with immense potential.
Close friend Hillary Obinna, who often shared the stage with Ifunanya, recounted to the BBC that she was reportedly asleep when the snake bite startled her awake. Alarmingly, two snakes were eventually discovered in her home. In the wake of the bite, Ifunanya initially sought medical help at a nearby clinic, but their lack of antivenom forced her to seek further treatment at a hospital.
Music director Sam Ezugwu rushed to the hospital upon hearing of her plight, only to find that the facility was equipped with just one of the necessary antivenoms, leaving her treatment incomplete. The circumstances surrounding Ifunanya’s death have raised concerns about medical preparedness and have sparked a discussion on the availability of life-saving resources.
Music director Sam said he rushed to the hospital on Saturday after learning that she had been taken there and said the hospital had only one of the required antivenoms, but not the other.
“While they were trying to stabilise her, she could not speak, but she could make hand gestures. She was struggling to breathe,” he added.
Sam said he drove out to search for the missing antivenom but returned to find that she had died.
He said the entire choir went to the hospital that evening, “hoping that a miracle would happen”.
Hillary described Nwangene as “a very wonderful girl, she is humble, very intelligent and very talented. Everybody is shattered. We could not sleep at night.”
Tributes continued to pour in for Ifunanya, as one devastated fan penned: “I’m just seeing something really devastating about her, never felt this pained about a stranger. Heaven truly gained with this one.”
“Nigeria failed you, may your soul rest in peace,” added another. As a pal took to Instagram and wrote: “Rest easy, my friend. Can’t even contain the pain from such loss. Rest easy Nanya!”