Entertainment
Ifeanyi: The Death of Nigeria’s Most Popular Baby
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By Eric Elezuo
A dark day it was on November 1, 2022 when Nigerians woke to the shocking news of Davido and his fiancee, Chioma’s son, Ifeanyi’s death. The news, which filtered in at midnight throw celebrity posts, hovered like a grand rumour until it gained ground, and became confirmed. Ifeanyichukwu ‘Davido’ Adeleke has died. He drowned in a swimming pool in his father’s house in highbrow Banana Island.
The news threw the country into unbelievable grieve, causing politicians and entertainers to shift their priories and programmes amid tears. Ifeanyi was only three years old; an age he attained only a week before his death. An age that was celebrated with pomp, pageantry and total exuberance.
Much as the parents of the child have not uttered a word on the issue till date, the Lagos State Command through its publicity department led by SP Benjamin Hundeyin, has continually kept the public abreast of the situation, culminating in its Saturday announcement that autopsy authorised to determine the cause of the child’d death was out. The content according to him, revealed that the boy some people have come to rever as Nigeria’s most popular baby died as a result of drowning.
Hundeyin said, “Autopsy has been concluded. It confirms the boy (Ifeanyi) drowned.”
Earlier, the Police had picked up all eight domestic staff on duty when the child died for questioning. They later released six, and detained only the cook and the nanny, who were directly in charge of Ifeanyi. The Police hinted that they may be charged for negligence.
It was reported that the nanny was with the toddler when the cook came to join them. The nanny claimed to have moved away to receive a call leaving the child with the cook who also insisted that he left the boy in the care of the nanny. The child’s body was later found at the bottom of the pool by a security guard 20 minutes later.
Analysts have wondered why it took the Nanny a whole 20 minutes to discover that the child was not with them, and why security guards in the facility do not regularly patrol the surroundings if it took 20 minutes for the guard to spot him.
A lot of people have said that Ifeanyi was a victim of circumstance arriving with so much fanfare as his mother was so loved among the four baby mamas of the star artist, Davido.
The pair broke the internet when on Chioma’s 23rd birthday, in 2018, Davido caused a stir on social media when he released a song titled ‘Assurance’ in homage to her. While lavishing love on her, he also generated a torrent of reactions by presenting her with a N45 million Porshe as a birthday gift. The car came with a plate number which reads ‘Assurance’.
Davido had specifically gone to the studio to release a single dedicated to Chioma. The song broke music charts, and placed Chioma on a great pedestal in Davido’s love line. However, shortly after their talk of the town traditional marriage, and birth of Ifeanyi, the two parted ways as a result of Davido’s alleged involvement with another woman overseas and another alleged romantic affair between Chioma and Davido’s staff, Peruzzi.
The disagreement reached a head recently when Chioma, an Economics undergraduate at Lead City University, learned that the singer had impregnated yet another woman.
Much as Chioma Rowland is greatly hit by the unfortunate death of the child because it was her only child, Davido is equally devastated as the child was his only son. His other baby mamas had daughters, Imade and Hailey, for him.
Imade Adeleke is the product of his romance with Sophie Momodu while he had Hailey Veronica Adeleke with an Atlanta-based lady popularly known as Amanda ‘Mandy Play’ on Instagram.
Their separation, more than setting them apart further cemented their love, and hyped their personalities. It was not therefore, a surprise when in June 2022, the duo made a drama comeback, setting 2023 for the wedding ceremony.
The circumstances that brought his parents together, broke them apart and brought them back again, have made the young Ifeanyi to remain in the limelight as the unofficial most popular in Nigeria. His popularity was shored up when his third birthday party took over the entire internet.
Though the last of the unfortunate has not been heard, Nigerians continue to mourn a boy many have said was finer than most beautiful girls; a boy many said was Nigeria’s most popular baby.
May the innocent soul of Ifeanyi rest in peace!
South African Singer, Tyla has cancelled her planned concert in Lagos after backlash from Nigerians over the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans living in South Africa.
Rather than directly address the uproar over the planned concert and the opposition from notable Nigerians like social media activist, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly called, VeryDarkMan, and other Nigerians on social media, the South African singer chose to remove Lagos from the list of cities she is scheduled to visit during her A-Pop World tour.
Social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, in a video post, warned the singer and the promoters of her concert against bringing the singer to Lagos amidst the ongoing xenophobic attacks that has led to the death of many Nigerians living in the rainbow country.
He also criticised Tyla for her silence in the face of the deadly attacks.
In his video post, VDM stated: “There will be no Tyla concert in Nigeria. It is not happening. This is a warning to the organizers and the show promoters bringing Tyla to Nigeria. That show is not happening.
“Not when Chidinma Adetshina is battling deportation in South African court. Now you want to bring in Tyla and sell tickets so that Tyla will make money off Nigerians. The same Nigerians that South Africans hate so much.
“This is a warning to you, if you go ahead with that show, we will come to the venue and we will bring the show down.”
Other notable Nigerians on social media have also called for a total boycott of the concert to retaliate the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that the 11th season of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) will premiere on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and the winner to receive a record-breaking grand prize of N160 million.
The announcement was made during a press briefing on Wednesday, and organisers said the prize package, comprising N100 million in cash and a brand-new SUV, is the highest in the reality show’s history.
The launch show will air from 7pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. The 24-hour live channel will be available on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49, while viewers can also watch via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
Preparations for the new season began earlier this year with physical auditions held from May 22 to 24 in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu after shortlisted applicants were invited to participate.
Participation was free, with eligibility limited to individuals aged 21 years and above who possessed valid means of identification.
The upcoming edition follows the conclusion of Season 10 on October 5, 2025, when Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, emerged winner after defeating 28 other contestants. Imisi received a prize package worth N150 million, comprising N80 million in cash and an SUV.
Speaking on the new season, Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said the show would continue to build on its success.
“Big Brother Naija has consistently redefined entertainment in Africa by bringing together authentic storytelling, compelling personalities and moments that resonate with millions of viewers.
“Season 11 builds on that legacy with even bigger stakes, fresh twists and an exciting mix of housemates that will keep audiences engaged from premiere night through to the finale.”
The organisers also announced a new lineup of sponsors, with betPawa joining Big Brother Naija as the headline sponsor.
Commenting on the partnership, Borah Omary Ndanyungu, Head of Local Marketing & CSR, betPawa, said: “At betPawa, we believe in creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together through the things they are passionate about.
“Big Brother Naija is one of Africa’s most celebrated entertainment properties, and we are proud to come on board as Headline Sponsor for Season 11. We look forward to rewarding fans, deepening engagement throughout the season and delivering exciting experiences that complement the energy and excitement of the show.”
Guinness returns as the Gold Sponsor, while Minimie joins as an Associate Sponsor.
On the partnerships, Babatunde said: “We are delighted to welcome betPawa as our Headline Sponsor alongside Guinness and Minimie, whose partnership reflects the enduring value and impact of the Big Brother Naija platform.”
Since its return in 2017, Big Brother Naija has grown beyond a reality television programme into one of Africa’s biggest entertainment franchises, producing household names, creating jobs across the creative industry and shaping popular culture.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will return as host for Season 11, with organisers promising new twists, strategic gameplay, competitive tasks and entertaining challenges throughout the season.
Eligible subscribers will be able to vote through the MyDStv and MyGOtv self-service apps. Viewers can also increase their voting benefits by upgrading their subscription packages or renewing for multiple months.
Anticipation for Big Brother Naija is building up again after organisers teased the return of the reality show for its 11th season, prompting fans to call for an official premiere date.
In a post shared across the show’s social media platforms on Sunday, the organisers announced: “A new chapter begins, and this time, everything is for the taking. #BBNaija season 11 is coming soon.”
The teaser arrives months after the conclusion of Season 10, which ended with Imisi Ayanwale clinching the grand prize of N150 million.
The franchise has stayed in the spotlight since the Season 10 reunion, aired on June 8, when all 29 former housemates reconvened to address controversies that defined the season.
In preparation for the new edition, organisers said auditions have been completed.
The application portal opened in May, followed by physical auditions in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.
