A close associate of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene has publicly recounted the singer’s final moments following her death from complications arising from a snake bite, describing the loss as “devastating and unimaginable.”
Ms. Nwangene, a soprano affiliated with the Amemuso Choir, passed away on Saturday at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja. The choir confirmed her death in a statement signed by Music Director Sam Ezugwu.
In a tribute posted to social media, Nwangene’s close friend and fellow musician, Paschal Nworgu, detailed their seven-year friendship and her last moments in hospital. Nworgu stated that he had first met Ms. Nwangene on January 27, 2019, during auditions for Hymnodia Season One in Ikeja, Lagos, and that they became close immediately. He also noted that he had encouraged her to relocate to Abuja in 2020 for her National Youth Service Corps programme to advance her music career.
Nworgu described Ms. Nwangene’s decision in 2024 to focus on sacred music as pivotal to her career, highlighting her rapid growth and increasing recognition, which ultimately led her to resign from her previous profession as an architect.
According to Nworgu, witnessing Ms. Nwangene struggle for breath in her final moments was the most traumatic experience of his life. Despite his prayers and the medical team’s resuscitation efforts, she was pronounced deceased in his arms. He expressed consolation in the belief that she lived a virtuous and impactful life.
The Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, issued a statement denying allegations of negligence in Ms. Nwangene’s death. The hospital affirmed that all appropriate medical interventions were provided, including intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, administration of polyvalent antivenom, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The statement further clarified that she suffered severe neurotoxic complications and deteriorated rapidly while being prepared for transfer to the Intensive Care Unit. Claims regarding unavailability of antivenom were described as unfounded.
The Amemuso Choir characterized Ms. Nwangene’s passing as a significant loss to the Abuja music community and noted that burial arrangements will be announced in due course.#newsafro_
