ABUJA-(MaraviPost)-Ifunanya Nwangene, a 26-year-old aspiring singer, died on Saturday after being bitten by a snake in her apartment in Abuja, Nigeria.
Nwangene had been planning her first solo concert later this year and was known for her versatility, blending jazz, opera, classical music, and soul.
She rose to prominence after appearing on The Voice Nigeria, the local version of the international TV singing competition, in 2021.
Videos shared on social media show a snake handler removing a snake from her apartment, as people nearby can be heard screaming: “It is a cobra!”
A close friend, Sam Ezugwu, the co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir where she sang, described Nwangene as a “rising star”.
Ezugwu said Nwangene had been asleep when “the snake bite woke her up” and that two snakes were later found in the house.
She first sought treatment at a nearby clinic but they did not have any antivenom, so she went to a hospital.
Ezugwu said he rushed to the hospital on Saturday after learning that she had been taken there, but she had died by the time he arrived.
The hospital denied that the venom had been unavailable and said claims its response had been inadequate were “unfounded and do not reflect the reality of the situation”.
The Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, said on Sunday that its medical staff had provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom.
Nwangene’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief in Nigeria and has reignited the debate about the quality of healthcare and patient safety in the country.
Many are shocked that a snake bite could be fatal in an upmarket part of the capital, highlighting the need for better healthcare infrastructure and access to antivenom.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says venomous snakebites are a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries, including Nigeria.
In Africa, between 435,000 and 580,000 snakebites requiring treatment are recorded each year, according to the WHO.
The burden falls mainly on women, children, and farmers in rural communities, where health systems are weakest and medical resources are limited.
Nwangene’s death is a tragic reminder of the importance of addressing the issue of snakebites and improving healthcare in Nigeria.
Her friends and family remember her as a talented and humble person who was taken too soon.
The incident has sparked a renewed call for action to address the shortage of antivenom and improve access to healthcare in Nigeria.
As the nation mourns the loss of this talented young singer, there is a growing demand for change and a better future for all Nigerians.
