I begged God to bring you back, Abuja singer’s friend mourns

A close friend of Abuja-based singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, has recounted her final moments after she died from complications arising from a snake bite, describing the loss as devastating and unimaginable.

Nwangene, a soprano singer with the Amemuso Choir, died on Saturday at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, after she was bitten by a snake.

Her death was confirmed on Sunday by the choir in a statement signed by its Music Director, Sam Ezugwu.

Reacting to the incident in a Facebook post, her best friend and fellow music artist, Paschal Tenor, shared an emotional tribute detailing their seven-year friendship and her last moments in hospital.

“I never knew I would lose you after seven years.

“From last year, I always spoke about our seventh year anniversary,” he wrote.

He said they first met on January 27, 2019, during auditions for Hymnodia Season One in Ikeja, Lagos, noting that they bonded instantly and remained inseparable.

We met for the first time on the second day of the Hymnodia auditions and bonded magically from day one,” he said.

He added that her decision in 2024 to focus more on sacred music marked a turning point in her career.

“You told me you wanted to draw closer to God, and I encouraged you to reflect it in your content. From the first sacred song you posted, everything changed,” Paschal said.

According to him, Nwangene regularly sent him her videos for review, editing and posting, adding that her growth was rapid and overwhelming.

You gained fans so fast that you eventually quit your job as an architect after asking for my opinion,” he said.

Nworgu described watching her struggle for breath in her final moments as the most traumatic experience of his life.

“I watched the closest person in my life struggle for breath right before my eyes and in my arms.

“I begged God to bring you back. I prayed the Hail Mary many times. I begged you to move, but you didn’t,” he said.

He said doctors attempted resuscitation but confirmed she had passed away.

“You gave your last breath in my arms after seven years and four days of knowing you. I have never been that helpless in my life,” he added.

He expressed consolation in his belief that she lived a saintly life.

My consolation is knowing you’re in a better place. You lived a life of impact. There will never be another Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, has denied allegations of negligence in the singer’s death.

In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the hospital said its medical team made all necessary efforts to save Nwangene’s life after she was brought in.

“Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom,” the statement said.

The hospital disclosed that Nwangene suffered severe neurotoxic complications from the snake bite and deteriorated suddenly while being prepared for transfer to the Intensive Care Unit.

“Despite all efforts to stabilise her condition and provide CPR, we were unable to revive her,” FMC said.

The hospital also dismissed claims circulating on social media about the non-availability of anti-snake venom, describing them as unfounded.

The claims of non-availability of anti-snake venom and inadequate response do not reflect the reality of the situation,” the statement added.

The Amemuso Choir described Nwangene’s death as a major loss to Abuja’s music scene, noting that she was a rising talent on the verge of wider recognition.

Burial arrangements, the choir said, would be announced later.

culled from punch