Doctor dies with two daughters in Lagos home fire

A medical doctor, Ijeoma Idaresit, has died alongside her daughters in a fire accident at her residence in Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Doctor Ijeoma said to be the Conference Director at Postpartum Support Network Africa and her two children, a 3-year-old and a baby, died on Saturday after her residence was on fire caused by electrical fault.

Her death has thrown her family, colleagues at work and friends into mourning with some taking to the social media to pay her tribute.

One Onyedikachi Ekwerike, obviously a co-worker of the deceased wrote on Facebook with picture of her on her beat:

This was the first time I met Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit. I had returned from a trip to learn we had a new volunteer, a mom with lived experience and a Doctor.

I had literally been praying for volunteers like her. I had been looking to step back from the organization to allow moms do the work. This was one area we constantly disagreed. She swore that @psnafrica was only successful because a man was leading it. She repeatedly argued that our patriarchal system wouldn’t take the movement seriously if a woman led it. In the end I “won.” She would go on to lead the organization alongside 3 other amazing women.

This photo was taken in 2017 at Island Maternity Hospital, Ijeoma had just had her first daughter. I remember being very impressed with her passion and commitment. She was just adjusting to life as a new mom, she had her own challenges, but there she was, educating mothers, asking them to reach out and reassuring them of our support.

This was Ijeoma, selfless, caring, and kind. After every management meeting, she would call me to talk about life. After listening to her, she would insist that I too share how I was feeling and what I was struggling with. She would remind me to prioritize self-care. I have very few people outside my family that I am vulnerable with, Ijeoma was one of those few people. She was my friend and sister.

As I process this loss, I remind myself that she lived a good life. I wish you could see all the notes I have received from people whose lives she touched. I don’t know how she did it, how she could be there for so many people. She reminds of what life should be about; love, kindness and generosity.

In the last three years, Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit has been our light at PSN Africa and we plan to preserve her legacy.

She will not be forgotten.