Nigerian music star Davido has opened up about how the death of his son, Ifeanyi Adeleke, profoundly impacted his life and pushed him to become a better version of himself.
Ifeanyi passed away on October 30, 2022, after drowning in a swimming pool at the singer’s residence in Banana Island, Lagos.
Speaking in an interview with ABC News, the 32-year-old “Unavailable” crooner said the heartbreaking loss forced him to re-evaluate his life and priorities.
He revealed that strangers often approach him at airports to share how his strength in the face of tragedy has encouraged them to face their own struggles.
“Refocused my life, of course. It has definitely changed my life. You know how many people would come to me randomly at airports and say ‘bro, you do not know how much your strength has gotten me through life’,” Davido said.
He also recalled a heartfelt moment with his wife, Chioma Adeleke, where they reflected on his growth since the tragedy.
“Me and my wife were talking the other day and I was saying ‘I am proud of this man’. Now, we have got twins. They are big, shouting everywhere. But you know, for us to be able to go through that and bounce back, in a major way.”
In 2023, the singer admitted that coping with the loss had been extremely difficult.
“I miss him every day, there’s tears coming out of my eyes every morning, you don’t have to see it,” he said.
“I look at myself in the mirror and I said apart from it just being about me, I know how many people love me, I know how many people are depending on me.”
Davido and Chioma welcomed twins in the United States in October 2023. The couple tied the knot traditionally in June 2024 and, in November that year, Davido revealed they had been together for 12 years. They celebrated their white wedding in Miami, Florida, last Sunday.
