Davido: How I cope with loss of loved ones

Davido, the Afrobeats star, has opened up about coping with loss and finding strength.

Reflecting on losing loved ones, including his mother Veronica at age 11 in a recent interview with Mystery Fashioniest, the 31-year-old Grammy-nominated singer credited his strength to faith.

“I have lost a lot of people. I lost my mum at eleven. I am just being strong. I did a song called ‘Stand Strong’,” he said.

“I feel like strength and obviously, my faith.”

On his personal life, Davido said growing up in a large family has shaped his connection with the public.

The music star, however, added that some people misjudge him as being “too accessible” or “unapproachable”.

“I think sometimes, people think I am not approachable. Another misconception is that people also think I am too accessible,” he said.

“I grew up in a big family, I’m used to having people around me. My talent and success is God-given.”

Davido lost his mum in March 2003. She passed away at age 39. In 2017, Tagbo Umeike, his friend, died from excessive consumption of alcohol.

Ogbeide Tijani Olamilekan, Davido’s bodyguard of 11 years, also passed on in 2020 after battling an undisclosed illness.

In October 2022, Davido lost Ifeanyi, his son with his wife Chioma Rowland. Last year, the singer shared his grief following his son’s demise.

“I miss him every day, there’s tears coming out of my eyes every morning, you don’t have to see it,” he had said.

“I look at myself in the mirror and I said apart from it just being about me, I know how many people love me, I know how many people are depending on me.

“My son up there is looking down at me. Apart from me being strong for his mom, which is my primary responsibility, I have to be strong for the world.”