Heartbreaking Account of Nanyah's Final Moments Shared by Close Friend
A close friend of the late Nigerian singer Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, has shared an emotional and detailed account of what transpired immediately after doctors confirmed her death in the hospital. Khifayah Zawjah Ayilara, who had been friends with the singer for seven years, posted a lengthy tribute on Facebook describing the traumatic experience of witnessing Nanyah's final struggle for breath.
The Devastating Hospital Scene
According to Khifayah's emotional post, she was present when Nanyah took her last breath in the hospital. She described watching helplessly as her closest friend struggled for air right before her eyes. Despite medical personnel performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and officially declaring the singer deceased, Khifayah admitted she begged doctors to check again, clinging to hope for a miraculous recovery.
"I couldn't believe that was your last breath," Khifayah wrote. "Which made me tell the doctor to check again even after they had carried out CPR. It was unbelievable, your skin was still fresh, even though your tongue and lips had changed in colour."
A Friendship Forged Through Music
The tribute revealed that Khifayah first met Nanyah on January 27, 2019, at an audition in Lagos, where they bonded instantly through their shared passion for music. Over the subsequent seven years, their friendship deepened as they supported each other's careers and personal growth. Khifayah noted that Nanyah had made a spiritual decision in 2024 to draw closer to God and reflect this devotion through her musical work.
Khifayah described Nanyah as "a loyal friend, fighting for me, sacrificing for me" and emphasized that "the loyalty, love and respect you had for me was so unreal." She characterized her late friend as a national treasure who lived a saintly life and impacted numerous souls during her time.
The Painful Reality Sets In
In her emotional recollection, Khifayah described praying fervently, repeatedly reciting the "Hail Mary" prayer and begging both God and Nanyah to return to life. She noted that medical staff eventually distanced themselves from her, possibly because they perceived her grief-stricken behavior as becoming too intense.
"You gave your last breath in my arms after seven years and four days of knowing you," Khifayah wrote. "I had never been that helpless and devastated in my life. My consolation is knowing you're in a better place, with the host of angels and saints."
Broader Context of Nanyah's Passing
This personal account comes amid ongoing discussions about the circumstances surrounding Nanyah's death. Popular health influencer Aproko Doctor has previously commented that the snake bite Nanyah suffered wasn't the direct cause of death, but rather the lack of antivenom at two hospitals she visited. This development has sparked conversations about healthcare preparedness in Nigeria, particularly regarding emergency medical responses to venomous snake bites.
Khifayah concluded her tribute by emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of her friendship with Nanyah, stating: "There will never be a replacement, there will never be another Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene." The emotional post has resonated deeply with fans and fellow musicians across Nigeria, highlighting the profound impact Nanyah had on those who knew her personally and through her music.
