Wife of Businessman Who Died After Being Trapped in Great Nigeria Building Speaks, Posts Last Video
- A devastating fire ravaged the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House plaza at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, on December 24, 2025
- One of the victims, Nze Obum, a China-based cloth merchant, was reportedly confirmed dead after being trapped beneath the rubble
- His wife had broken her silence on his death and posted the last emotional video they made a day before the accident
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Tragedy struck at Lagos Island's Balogun Market last week when a fire ravaged the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House plaza, causing part of it to collapse.
The inferno, which began on the fourth floor, spread so fast, trapping traders inside, including Obum Nze.
Source: TikTok
Obum, a cloth merchant based in China, had reportedly returned to Nigeria for Christmas to support his wife, who had recently given birth, and sell goods at the market.
The collapse happened as Obum was retrieving remaining stock from his shop behind the plaza, and a call he made shortly before his death was released.
Businessman’s wife breaks silence after death
Identified on TikTok as @prettyamiy, the widow took to her Instagram page to mourn her husband.
She posted a video of the last dance they had together on December 23, a day before the fire incident.
The video was captioned:
“This was my last dance with my hubby on the 23rd of December and death took away my source of joy, d father of my children on 24th December uwam o.”
Watch the TikTok video below:
In another post, she wrote an emotional tribute to her husband, which read:
“Great Nigeria fire outbreak has shattered my life; it took the most kind-hearted man I’ve ever known. Even in your death, you were thinking about me and your children.
“Jee nke oma my love. This world is no longer the same without you in it. Farewell Nzeakaibeya n’Umuoji till we meet again.”
In a chat with Legit.ng, a mental health expert, Duke Ezikpe Mma, shared how sharing old photos and videos can help someone feel relief after the loss of a loved one.
He said:
"We need to understand that it depends on the circumstances of the demise of that loved one. However, sharing media of a loved one who has passed away can helps people maintain a connection with them during the grieving process which can bring about relief.
"This approach supports a psychological theory called ‘Continuing Bonds Theory’, which suggests that mourning is not about forgetting the person, but rather about keeping their memory alive in a healthy way."
Reactions as wife mourns late businessman
@Stephlove said:
"Is well, Take heart sis . We the Igbos will not forget this in a hurry. All thanks to Lagos state government."
@priceless said:
"he's last cry broke my heart,i cried like i knew him...i wish we could turn the hands of time,he wouldn't have gone back to the shop for the second time. take heart nne."
@user12817456367675 said:
"D voice note I heard broke my hrt ,a man who care about his wife at d point of death, take hrt nne ,God will be with you nd ur kids."
@Flourish said:
"No wonder he was worried about who would take care of you cos he loved you so much. So sorry dear. May the Holy spirit console you."
@lucia said:
"Is he the one that they said he contacted why he was trapped underground, and he told them to tell the wife the access bank pin."
Source: TikTok
In a related story, a Nigerian lady sent a strong message to her customers as the fire affected her shop.
Woman loses 2 shops to Lagos Island fire
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Nigerian businesswoman wept bitterly as she lost her two shops in the fire incident at the Great Nigeria Tower in Lagos Island.
She showed a video of her shops before the fire and after the flames affected them, and many people felt sorry for her.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Victoria Nwahiri (Human Interest Editor) Victoria Nwahiri is an award-winning Reuters-certified journalist with 5+ years of experience in digital, social media, and print journalism. She has extensively covered lifestyle, entertainment, and human interest stories that have impacted and attracted top policymakers. She is currently a Human Interest Editor at Legit.ng and can be reached via victoria.nwahiri@corp.legit.ng
Duke Ezikpe Mma (Mental Health Expert) Duke Ezikpe Mma is a Mental Health Specialist, Educationist, Coach, and Writer dedicated to mental wellness and advocacy. He holds degrees in Clinical Psychology from Nasarawa State University and Information Management from Ahmadu Bello University. As the founder of Where Do Broken Hearts Go and Grayscale Support Group, he provides safe spaces for individuals facing mental health challenges. A member of COSROPIN, he actively advocates for the well-being and rights of older persons in Nigeria.
