Ime Akpan
A flood of tears flowed in Nigeria yesterday when it was reported that David Adeleke popularly called Davido, had lost his first son, Ifeanyi, in a swimming pool incident at his Banana Island residence in Lagos.
It was gathered that Ifeanyi, who was the only son of Davido and his third baby mama turned fiancée, Chioma Rowland reportedly drowned at the singer’s residence on Monday, October 31.
The incident occurred more than four years after a Nigerian singer, entertainer and entrepreneur, Daniel Oyebanjo known by his stage name as D’banj, lost his one-year-old son, Daniel Oyebanjo III in June 2018.
The 13-month-old toddler reportedly drowned in the singer’s home in the Ikoyi area of Lagos.
D’banj was said to have been away for a musical award in Los Angeles, United States, when the incident happened.
Like D’banj, Davido and Chioma were said to have been out of town when the incident happened.
Since the death of the toddler, many Nigerians, including politicians, celebrities and even soothsayers have reacted in various ways.
Vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, in his condolence message tweeted: “I pray what we hearing about Davido’s son tonight is not true.”
— Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed (STAN) #ObiDatti2023 (@Naija_Activist) October 31, 2022
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election, Mr. Atiku Abubakar also took to his Facebook page to express his condolences.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Davido and Chioma and the Adeleke family at this time. I pray for God to strengthen and comfort them,” he wrote.
The senate chief whip and former governor of Abia State, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu, cancelled all his official engagements yesterday and declared a day of mourning in honour of Ifeanyi.
Taking to his facebook page, Kanu said: “Dear David/Chioma, I am sober; I am deeply saddened by the loss of your son, Ifeanyi. I have cancelled my official engagements today to mourn him quietly.
“Ifeanyi will be missed by everyone. May the Creator accept our prayers on his behalf.”
Also, the PDP deputy governorship candidate in Lagos State, Funke Akindele, popularly called ‘Jennifer’ condoled with the parents of the deceased and prayed God to grant them the grace to over the loss.
“This is so sad!! Ha!! Rest in peace little champ. May the almighty God comfort Chioma, Davido and their families.”
Like Kalu, the Osun State chapter of the PDP yesterday announced the suspension of all political activities in honour of Ifeanyi.
The party commiserated with Davido and his father, Dr Deji Adeleke, over the loss of their son and grandson.
“Our condolence goes to Davido, our youth ambassador. We commiserate with our father figure, Dr Deji Adeleke and the entire Adeleke family.
“We pray the good Lord grant the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” the party said.
Similarly, celebrities commiserated with the Davidos on their loss.
In his reaction, Ayo Makun, aka AY, described the death as “tragic.’
“Dear Lord, we will never understand why you would give us a blessing and allowed the devil to take it so quickly. No parents want to outlive their children, and it’s really not fair on the few good people who do a lot to help others keep their own children alive, by giving them hopes for a better tomorrow.
“This loss affects so many people. How do we even encourage them to move on? How can we ever trust caregivers with our children when we remember the painful circumstances surrounding that innocent child’s death? We all want to ask for forgiveness and continue to glorify you, even in our pain. You sincerely need to show Yourself to the parents and protect them from bitterness. Give them a new purpose for living and a way to honour their child’s life. Give them the courage to trust you, to hope again, and to love again. Protect them from living in fear and paranoia. Judging by the things you have blessed us with, we know you are good, and you do good. Protect us from evil people as we give you this tragedy to redeem in Jesus name. Amen,” he said.
Also reacting, Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, expressed sadness over the death saying: “I don’t even know how to react to this rude shock. I was hoping it wasn’t true. My God!!!
“This is so shocking, sad, devastating & extremely painful Olorun!!! Ikun le abiamo.”
Muyiwa Ademola also took to the social media saying: “It is one of the saddest things when kids are being buried by parents. We really wish it never happened! May The Almighty give the parents and the entire Adeleke family the strength to bear this loss? Rest in Peace Champ.”
Nollywood actress, Ini Edo said: “My friend’ s teenage son just last week passed in the United States. While playing football for his school, he scored a goal with his head, developed a seizure then slipped into coma and died a few days after …. I have not been able to come to terms with how the mother who had been left alone to cater to those kids from an early age is living with this devastating death.
“Now this ….. this is beyond painful, it’s too painful to comprehend, Unimaginable tragedy, The hurt is deep, This world scares me shitless , it’s depressing, it’s saddening .. Nobody deserves this kind of pain. Still Lord… I look to You.”
A comedian, Basketmouth described the incident as the “undoubtedly the worst news you can hear” and expressed “my deepest condolences @davido.”
Singer Jude Abaga, known by his stage name as MI tweeted: “What a dark day. My heart and love go to David and Chioma.. @davido. I pray for your heart and mind this period. You have endured so much loss brother. May God hold you in his arms and keep you through this.”
Another Nollywood actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande wrote: “So heartbreaking earth shattering news, I was really hoping this was a wicked rumor but ahhhh!!!! this is every parent’s WORST nightmare….God please console in the way only you know how my sincere condolences to Davido, Chioma and their entire families.”
Following the incident, the Lagos State Police Command said all singer’s domestic staff were being detained.
Spokesman for the command, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin said on Tuesday that preliminary investigation was currently ongoing to unravel what led to the boy’s death.
“Domestic staff at Davido’a home have been taken to the station to give their own account of what happened. I wouldn’t call that arrest yet.
“If after they all give their own account of what happened and after preliminary investigations, if anyone of them is found culpable, the person will now be placed under arrest,” he told Daily Post.
