Ifunanya Nwangene, a 26-year-old contestant on Season 3 of The Voice Nigeria, tragically lost her life on January 31, after being bitten by a snake in her Abuja, Nigeria apartment while asleep.
Sam C. Ezugwu, the music director of the Amemuso Choir, where Nwangene was a soprano, verified her demise in a hospital, which occurred after a snake bite disrupted her sleep, leading to an emergency medical situation.
Following the bite, Nwangene sought immediate help at a local clinic, which unfortunately did not have antivenom to treat her. She was then transported to the Federal Medical Centre Jabi for emergency care.
Ezugwu shared with the BBC that upon his arrival at the hospital, medical personnel were in the process of stabilizing the young singer. “While they were trying to stabilise her, she could not speak, but she could make hand gestures. She was struggling to breathe,” he reported.
The hospital had one type of required antivenom but lacked the second type necessary for treatment. Ezugwu departed the hospital in search of the second dose, but unfortunately, Nwangene passed away before he could return with the medicine.
Contrary to this account, the Federal Medical Centre Jabi refuted claims of antivenom shortage. They stated, “Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom.”
Animal control officers were summoned to Nwangene’s apartment after the incident. Two snakes were captured from the dwelling, one of which was identified as a cobra.
Hillary Obinna, a friend of Nwangene, corroborated the account that the snake bite had awakened her, setting off the unfortunate series of events leading to her death.
Nwangene rose to national prominence when she participated in The Voice Nigeria in 2021. She performed a stirring rendition of Rihanna’s Take a Bow during her audition, which won her the favor of two judges.
She selected to join the team mentored by Waje, a well-known Nigerian singer. Nwangene progressed through several rounds before being eliminated during the Knockouts round.
Nwangene, acclaimed for her jazz-operatic vocal style, amassed a following on YouTube as NANYAH. She simultaneously pursued a career in architecture while nurturing her music career.
Before her untimely death, Nwangene was actively engaged in new music projects. She had hinted at an upcoming collaboration with Nigerian musician Tbrass and was organizing her first solo concert.
In a tribute on social media on January 31, Tbrass mourned Nwangene’s death, describing it as an irreplaceable loss to the Abuja music community and Nigeria as a whole.
The Amemuso Choir announced Nwangene’s demise in a Facebook post, describing her as a rising star on the brink of sharing her incredible talent with the world.
Snake bites are a significant public health issue in Nigeria and throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The World Health Organization estimates that venomous snake bites cause between 81,000 and 138,000 deaths worldwide each year, with a large proportion occurring in Africa, Asia, and Latin America’s rural and impoverished regions. Nigeria sees thousands of snakebite cases per year, with fatality rates influenced by factors such as delayed access to medical care, insufficient antivenom availability, and the distance victims must travel to reach facilities equipped for treatment.
Several species of cobras, native to Nigeria, carry neurotoxic venom that can lead to respiratory failure if left untreated. Effective treatment necessitates quick administration of species-specific antivenom, which has specific storage requirements and a limited shelf life. Both rural clinics and some urban medical centers often face challenges maintaining adequate antivenom supplies due to cost, storage necessities, and inconsistent distribution networks.
While less common than in rural areas, venomous snakes do sometimes find their way into urban residences in cities such as Abuja, Nigeria. Snakes may seek shelter, water, or prey such as rodents in homes. Encounters with snakes in residential settings increase during certain seasons and in areas where urban development overlaps with natural habitats.
Medical professionals underscore the importance of transporting snake bite victims immediately to the nearest facility capable of providing antivenom treatment. Time is of the essence, as the effects of venom can progress rapidly. During transport, victims should aim to remain as calm and still as possible to slow the spread of venom through the bloodstream.
The entertainment industry in Nigeria and beyond grieved the loss of the up-and-coming artist, whose career was gaining traction. Nwangene’s participation on The Voice Nigeria had opened opportunities for her in the fiercely competitive Nigerian music industry, where she was developing a unique style that incorporated jazz and operatic elements.
Nwangene’s dual career as an architect and a singer showcased her versatility and determination, traits that marked her approach to her professional life. Many Nigerian artists juggle multiple careers while finding their footing in the music industry, navigating the challenges of making a name for themselves in a dynamic but competitive entertainment scene.
The Amemuso Choir, where Nwangene rendered her soprano talents, indicated that further information about funeral arrangements would be shared through their official Facebook account.
