The widow of a cloth merchant who perished in the devastating fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance House plaza in Lagos has released a poignant final video of her husband, capturing their last moments of joy together.
A Christmas Tragedy Unfolds
The inferno, which broke out on December 24, 2025, ravaged the 25-storey building located in the bustling Balogun Market on Lagos Island. Reports indicate the blaze originated on the fourth floor and spread with terrifying speed, trapping numerous traders inside the commercial plaza.
Among the victims was Nze Obum, a businessman based in China who had returned home for the Christmas holidays. His wife, who recently gave birth, explained that Obum had come back to support his family and sell goods at the market. Tragedy struck when he was reportedly retrieving remaining stock from his shop behind the plaza. A section of the burning structure collapsed, trapping him beneath the rubble. He was later confirmed dead.
The Final Dance: A Memory Etched in Grief
In an outpouring of grief, his wife shared a heartfelt video on social media. The clip, recorded on December 23 "This was my last dance with my hubby on the 23rd of December and death took away my source of joy, the father of my children on 24th December," she wrote in an emotional post accompanying the video. She described the fire as an event that "shattered" her life, paying tribute to her husband as the most kind-hearted man she had ever known. She added a touching detail, noting that even in his final moments, his thoughts were with his wife and children, highlighting his character and the profound loss felt by his family. The disaster has triggered widespread reactions across social media platforms, with many Nigerians expressing sorrow and anger. A significant portion of the online discourse has focused on blaming authorities and emergency responders for the scale of the catastrophe. Users questioned the effectiveness and speed of the fire response, suggesting that better preparedness could have mitigated the loss of life. The tragedy has also sparked a crucial conversation about safety protocols in Nigeria's busy markets. Many commentators urged traders to prioritize personal safety over salvaging goods during such emergencies, a difficult choice in an environment where livelihood is tied to stock. The story of Nze Obum, preserved in a final dance video, has become a powerful symbol of the human cost behind the headlines of building fires and collapses in Nigeria.Public Outcry and Safety Questions
