The Voice Nigeria contestant Ifunanya Nwangene has died ate age 26 after a snake bit her in her sleep.
“Amemuso Choir [regrets] to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano,” music director Sam C. Ezugqu with the Amemuse Choir said in a Sunday, February 1, statement shared via Facebook, confirming the singer’s death. “A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world. Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed.”
Nwangene was bitten by a snake in Abuja, where she lived, before being rushed to a Nigerian hospital on Saturday, January 31. The singer tried to obtain treatment for the snake bite at a nearby clinic but there was no antivenom available, which is why she ended up at the hospital.
BBC Africa spoke with Nwangene’s fellow choir members about the tragic incident, with Hillary Obinna saying Nwangene was asleep when “the snake bite woke her up.” Obinna also told the outlet that two snakes were later discovered in Nwangene’s home.
According to footage circulating on social media, a snake handler took one of the reptiles from the home.
Nwangene, who was also an architect, was thrust into the spotlight when she auditioned during season 3 of The Voice Nigeria. Her version of Rihanna’s “Take a Bow” scored her two chair turns. She continued to release covers and original songs.
Nwangene’s final Instagram post teased a “new project” with fellow Nigerian musician Tbrass. Following her death, Tbrass revealed that Nwangene was in his studio days prior to help with music for his next album.
An irreplaceable loss to the Abuja music society and Nigeria at large💔,” he wrote via Instagram. “My hand and heart feels very heavy writing this, because it is unimaginable [losing] such a young promising great, talented music artist who touched so many lives, it is very heartbreaking — especially in Nigeria where music runs deep in our souls and connects us all.”
He continued: “The pain of saying goodbye to someone whose voice and energy brought joy, inspiration, and even healing to many is heavy. From her unique voice, to the stories she told through songs, and the way she represented our culture and struggles, Nanya was a true artist who left an irreplaceable mark.”
Ezugwu mentioned in his statement that Nwangene was planning her first solo concert for later in the year. There are plans to share more information about Nwangene’s burial arrangements on the official Amemuso Choir Facebook account.
By YANA GREBENYUK/US Weekly
There are plans to share more information about Nwangene’s burial arrangements on the official Amemuso Choir Facebook account.
