Popular politician, Peter Obi, has said that the news of the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, is profoundly devastating.
He noted that he had learnt that Nkanu was ill and had joined his parents in prayer for recovery.
In a statement on X on Thursday, Obi conveyed his condolences , saying:
“I have been following Nkanu’s illness since my beloved sister, Chimamanda, first informed me on January 2nd. During this difficult time, I felt a deep sense of empathy for her and her family,” Obi said.
He added, “I shared in their anxiety, prayed earnestly, and hoped for his recovery. Therefore, the news I received yesterday morning was profoundly heartbreaking.”
Earlier on Thursday, Omawumi Ogbe on behalf of the Nnamdi’s family, said the 21-month-old baby passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
The family, in the statement, said it was devastated by the loss and appealed for privacy. “The family is devastated by the loss and requests that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Expressing personal grief, Obi 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.
He concluded by offering 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.”
