The Abuja Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO) Choir, an opera ensemble composed of members from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, has recounted the circumstances surrounding the death of its member and soprano, Ifunanya “Nanyah” Nwangene.
The late singer was a member of the choral group.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ms Nwangene, fondly known as the “Soprano Queen”, died on Saturday after a cobra bit her at her residence in Lugbe, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Monday and signed by its director, Sam Ezugwu, the AMEMUSO Choir revealed that Ms Nwangene informed members of the incident at exactly 10:13 a.m. via a message sent to the group’s WhatsApp platform.
Snake bite
Mr Ezugwu said that immediately after receiving her message indicating that a snake bit her, he contacted Vincent, one of the choir’s most dependable emergency-response members, and instructed him to proceed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC).
He said, “I also proceeded there myself. When I arrived at the hospital with Paschal, Ifunanya’s closest friend, the doctors were already attending to her. She was struggling to breathe, had been placed on oxygen, and was unable to speak, though she tried to communicate using hand gestures.
“One of the doctors confirmed that Ifunanya arrived at the emergency ward by herself and had explained what happened. She reportedly told them that she saw a grey snake that bit her. We also met her uncle, Mr Joseph, at the hospital. Ifunanya was placed on a drip and administered antivenom, alongside other treatments.”
Neostigmine
Mr Ezugwu added that while Ms Nwangene was placed on a drip and given antivenom, the attending doctor informed Vincent that Neostigmine and additional doses of the medication already administered were required.
He said the doctor further explained that the hospital had exhausted its supply of Neostigmine as well as the additional doses needed.
“After making several calls, we confirmed that Neostigmine was available at Skylark Pharmacy, close to the National Hospital. Vincent and I immediately drove there to purchase it. As we were leaving the emergency ward, I noticed that Ifunanya appeared no longer to be breathing. However, since the doctors were still actively checking her blood pressure and administering interventions, I left with cautious hope, though deeply concerned.
“I called Chiamaka to confirm her condition, but she was unsure and said, “Sir, I don’t know.” While Vincent was collecting the medication at the pharmacy, I called again. This time, Chiamaka informed me that the doctors were attempting resuscitation. On our way back to the hospital with the injection, Chiamaka called to inform me that Ifunanya had been officially confirmed dead”, said Mr Ezugwu.
Lifeless body
Furthermore, he said that when he and Vincent returned to the hospital, they found Ms Nwangene lying lifeless on the bed.
Mr Ezugwu stated that enquiries from neighbours and individuals Ms Nwangene contacted revealed that she was bitten on the wrist by a snake while asleep in her bed between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.
He added that she immediately ran out to seek help, after which neighbours tied her hand in an attempt to slow the spread of the venom and urged her to proceed to the hospital.
He said, “A neighbour attempted to assist, but her car failed to start despite several attempts. Ifunanya then ran approximately 500 metres to the estate gate, took a motorcycle, and went to Divine Health Hospital, the closest hospital to her residence in Lugbe, Abuja. Unfortunately, the hospital did not have antivenom and referred her to FMC.
“She then booked a ride to FMC. While in transit, around 9:40 a.m., Ifunanya contacted friends, family members, and the Amemuso Choir. A screenshot of her last message to the Amemuso WhatsApp group has been shared in the comment section. Throughout this period, Mr Joseph and Vincent were in constant communication with her father, Mr Nwangene, who requested that they arrange for an ambulance and transport his daughter’s body to Enugu”, Mr Ezugwu said.
Furthermore, he confirmed that after Ms Nwangene was pronounced dead, her remains were transferred to the mortuary, embalmed, and prepared for transportation.
“Before us, our dear Ifunanya was placed in a white body bag and loaded into the ambulance. We followed in convoy to her parish, Guardian Angel Catholic Chapel, Lugbe, where Fr. Stephen Biodun, the Assistant Parish Priest, prayed over and blessed her remains.
“The ambulance then departed, leaving behind a group of choristers, Amemusites, and Abuja-based musicians—confused, heartbroken, and silent. Subsequently, the services of a snake handler were engaged. Upon inspection of Ifunanya’s residence, a medium-sized cobra was found inside her room, another smaller snake was discovered near her doormat, and a third snake was located in a nearby compound. It was concluded that the cobra was responsible for the fatal bite.”
Backstory
This newspaper reported that the FMC’s management denied allegations that it failed to provide adequate care to the late musician.
READ ALSO: How singer Ifunanya Nwagene died – Abuja hospital
The hospital stated that Ms Nwangene died from severe neurotoxic complications resulting from the snake bite, and not from negligence or the alleged absence of anti-snake venom, as claimed online.
The management expressed sympathy with the deceased’s family, describing her death as a painful loss.
According to the hospital, its medical team responded promptly when Ms Nwangene was brought to the facility.
The hospital said doctors immediately assessed her condition and confirmed that she had developed serious neurotoxic complications following the snake bite.
The hospital added that arrangements were already underway to transfer her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) when her condition suddenly deteriorated.
