By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, have commiserated with renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie and her husband on the death of their 21-month-old twin son.
This is even as many Nigerians across various social media platforms expressed grief over the news, condoled with the family, and prayed for the peaceful repose of the child’s soul.
Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, lost one of their twin sons, Nkanu Nnamdi, on Wednesday, January 7, during a brief illness, according to a statement issued on Thursday, January 8, by Omawumi Ogbe, on behalf of the family.
The statement said the family is devastated by the loss and requested that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.
In a personal condolence message issued on Thursday, January 8, and shared on his official X handle, President Tinubu described the loss as devastating, drawing from his own experience of losing a loved one.
“As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, no grief is as devastating as losing a child.
“I empathise with the family at this difficult time, and I mourn this sad loss with them.
“Ms Adichie is a literary icon who brought joy and light to many homes globally, and I pray she and her family find strength in the Almighty in this trying time.
“My prayers are with the family,” Tinubu stated.
In his condolence message to Adichie and the family, Atiku Abubakar expressed sorrow over the death of Nkanu Nnamdi.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, Atiku commiserated with the Nigerian author and her husband over the loss of their child.
The former Vice President asked God to grant them strength, peace, and solace over the painful loss.
The statement read, “My heart goes out to Chimamanda Adichie, @ChimamandaReal, and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, on the loss of their son. There can be no loss like the loss of a child.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Esage and Adichie families and all of their friends. May God grant them strength, peace, and solace as they mourn this painful loss.”
Similarly, Peter Obi condoled with the family, noting that he had closely followed the child’s illness and shared in the family’s hope for recovery.
In a statement shared via his X account on Thursday, Obi said he learnt of his child’s illness on January 2 from Adichie.
Obi tweeted, “I have been following Nkanu’s illness since my beloved sister, Chimamanda, first informed me on January 2. During this difficult time, I felt a deep sense of empathy for her and her family.
“I shared in their anxiety, prayed earnestly, and hoped for his recovery. Therefore, the news I received yesterday morning was profoundly heartbreaking.”
The former presidential candidate said the loss was especially painful for the child’s parents. “I am personally devastated, thinking of the immense pain my dear sister must be experiencing as a mother, along with her husband, Dr Ivara,” he stated.
Obi offered prayers for the bereaved family, saying, “My heartfelt condolences go to them and the entire family during this moment of indescribable loss. May God grant them the strength, comfort, and grace to bear this sorrow, and may Nkanu’s saintly soul rest in perfect peace.”
