Chiemelie Ezeobi
Miss Mayowa Ahmed, who had battled against ovarian cancer for four years, finally bowed to the cold hands of death yesterday in a South African hospital, barely days after she was flown out for treatment.
When the news first broke on social media, it was greeted with disbelief until her brother tweeting from @Asiwaju_foye confirmed it in a series of tweets.
He wrote: “By Allah in whose hands our lives are, Mayowa Ahmed has left us in this world. We pray that jannat becomes her home. She tried but God’s will prevailed.”
Already, hours after the news of her death filtered in, a hashtag #RIPMayowa started trending on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, all social media platforms.
Many social media users and those that contributed to the fundraising to keep her alive also poured encomiums on the deceased, just as they commiserated with the bereaved family.
On Twitter, one Susan Dphee wrote: “Lord knows we tried our best to save Mayowa, I pray she rests in peace … free from all the banter of busy bodies. #RIPMayowa.”
Lolshotee Omogeola wrote: “You are in a place where no one will doubt the legitimacy of your being, where your truthfulness will be celebrated with glorious melody.#RIPMayowa.”
Glory Ise wrote: “After all the drama that surrounded the #mayowa situation, it would have been really great if she survived. #RIPMayowa.”
One Sanni Hussein said: “God knows best Mayowa. You have departed from this sinful world. Go rest now. #RIPMayowa.”
Hero Chima said: “Rest in Peace, Mayowa Ahmed. You gave it one hard final push, and inspired many. #RIPMayowa.”
Another sympathiser, Rita Onuorah, wrote: “#RIPMayowa. Hope you find eternal peace. You honestly didn’t need the media circus that surrounded you towards your last days. Rest on.”
While so many people extended their condolences to the Ahmed family, there were yet several others who blamed popular blogger, Linda Ikeji’s interference in the fundraising, for Ahmed’s death.
Whilst news of Ahmed’s condition filtered out, Nigerians had collectively raised $100,000 in a GoFundMe account, an online platform for raising funds, and an additional N81 million in an unprecedented show of empathy.
However, popular blogger, Ikeji, acting on an unconfirmed and false tip off, had labelled the fundraising a scam, after Yoruba actress, Toyin Aihmaku, and Lifestake Foundation, who helped in raising the funds, had a misunderstanding with the Ahmed family.
The three parties (Ahmed family, Aihmaku and Lifestake Foundation) were said to have fallen out over who would control the funds raised from kind-hearted Nigerians.
This report prompted the intervention of the Lagos State Police Command, who put an embargo on the account, thus delaying Mayowa’s much needed treatment.
However, after investigating the allegation against the family, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Owoseni, last week confirmed that the fundraising was a genuine effort by the family to save a beloved ailing sister.
With the embargo removed, the family was able to finally fly Mayowa to a South African hospital, where she finally died yesterday after battling ovarian cancer for four years.
One of those who had been vocal about the blogger’s unconfirmed and false report was popular radio show host, Osi Suave, who wrote: “Hope Linda Ikeji is happy now. #RIPMayowa you are in a place where there is no more pain.”
Lane Ville tweeting from Ghana said: “So Linda Ikeji was reported to be deleting people’s comment indicting her and Aimakhu of Mayowa’s death. Shameful. #RIPMayowa.”
But some people like Olukemi Olunloyo, were quick to defend Ikeji, noting that it was ovarian cancer that killed her and not the blogger’s false story that caused a hitch in her treatment.
Olunloyo wrote: “#RIPMayowa should not be an attack on Toyin Aimakhu or @lindaikeji. It’s a lesson for women to start getting pap smears before it’s too late.”
