The entertainment world is in mourning following the tragic death of Ifunanya Nwangene, a talented singer who captured hearts on The Voice Nigeria. The 26-year-old star passed away after being bitten by a snake, believed to be a cobra, in her apartment in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
A Fatal Encounter and Hospital Response
According to reports from BBC Africa, the incident occurred while Nwangene was asleep. A friend recounted that the bite woke her, and she was rushed to hospital after a nearby clinic lacked the necessary antivenom. Disturbing videos circulated on social media showed a snake being removed from the address as onlookers screamed in panic.
At the hospital, her condition rapidly deteriorated. Another friend, Sam Ezugwu, described her struggle: "While they were trying to stabilise her, she could not speak but she could make hand gestures. She was struggling to breathe." Ezugwu claimed the hospital only had one of the two required antivenoms, prompting him to search for the second. Tragically, upon his return, he learned she had died.
Contradictory Statements on Medical Care
The Federal Medical Centre issued a statement to the BBC, strongly denying that antivenom was unavailable. They asserted: "Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom." The hospital attributed her death to complications from the bite and stood by the quality of care provided.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Nwangene rose to prominence in 2021 during the third season of The Voice Nigeria, where her blind audition performance of Rihanna's "Take a Bow" impressed the judges. She was also a member of the Amemuso Choir and was planning her first solo concert later this year, a milestone now left unfulfilled.
The choir's Facebook page paid tribute, stating: "A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world. Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed." Fans flooded social media with condolences, expressing grief over the loss of a "superstar" and a "beautiful soul."
The Broader Context of Snakebites in Nigeria
This tragedy highlights a severe public health issue. The World Health Organization estimates that between 435,000 and 580,000 snakebites require treatment annually across Africa. In Nigeria alone, local media reports approximately 2,000 deaths per year from venomous snakebites, making it one of the world's worst-affected nations. However, data is likely incomplete, as many incidents in rural areas go unreported.
Nigeria's healthcare system, ranked 187th out of 191 by the WHO, faces ongoing scrutiny. It was recently criticised by author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie after her one-year-old son died in a Lagos hospital, underscoring systemic challenges that may have contributed to this devastating outcome.
