A fire on Tuesday morning destroyed parts of Banky W’s Lekki home, including awards, portraits, and small electronics, the Nigerian R&B star said. According to his statement on his social media page (Instagram), the cause of the fire occurred due to a defectiveness in the air conditioner unit of his living room, but lucky for him, he woke up early enough to escape with his dog. Banky W made no mention of a response by the Lagos State Fire Service in helping douse out the fire. Media reports, however, claim that the fire outbreak began about 6:00 am but the state’s fire department responded over an hour later to his residence, resulting in the significant damage in parts of his home.
Nevertheless, the singer has an optimistic outlook on the turn of events.
“Thank God for life. And I’m not even upset.. I’m just grateful for life and health and for the grace and mercy of God on my life,” said Banky W. “I figure I’m about to have the best year ever so the devil tried to throw a tantrum. But not today Satan. Not today, not ever. Now sit back and watch me be great. By God’s grace. Amen…”
A few quick thoughts on my part:
- I am happy Banky W escaped with his dog unhurt.
- The Lagos State Fire Service, if the allegations are true about their response time, needs to really improve.
- For artists and anyone reading this, it is important to think and research into a renter’s or homeowner’s insurance for your homes or flats/apartments. As a side note, you might want to also think about life insurance in case you are in Banky’s situation but do not escape in time. Further, I never thought Nigeria had anything like insurance (whether it be health, home, car etc.), at all. Why? I have no clue. I guess I just have never seen it in action or discussed at all in the public forum both there and among the African diaspora. However, one day, I was chatting with one of my favorite cousins who is now based here in the U.S.A. Our chat shifted to Nigerian politics and the everyday realities of the average Nigerian. Our conversation included the lack of strong infrastructures (health, good roads, education etc.). As I began discussing the issue of the lack of insurance and that it was sad we did not even have an insurance scheme or companies, at all. He said, “Of course Nigeria has insurance schemes and companies. I was an insurance agent most of my time (from early adult to adult) in Nigeria). So, if you are reading this, don’t be ignorant like I was. There is insurance in Nigeria. Educate yourself and purchase a coverage that best meets your needs.
A couple of insurance companies whose names come up every now and then but I cannot vouch for and have never used their services are Old Mutual Nigeria and Standard Alliance Insurance. Do your own due diligence, ask around and figure out what works best for you.
Read Instagram message regarding the fire.
“So there’s good news and bad news. The good news is… I’m thanking God that I’m alive to give the bad news as a testimony.
Bad news is…
I was laying awake in bed at about 6am , and I just started smelling smoke. Stood up to shut off my tv and ac and realized it was coming from outside my door. Opened it to see the whole stairway was filled with huge gusts of black smoke/soot, and a fire was burning stuff downstairs. The smoke was so much I couldn’t get down past it to see the source of the flames. Rushed back into my room and climbed down from the 2nd floor balcony with my dog… and then got help from the amazing workers and neighbours who helped me put out the flames.
Turns out the ac in the living room had caught fire.. I know a lot of ppl have been trying to call and I appreciate it. Maybe the fire burnt some of the network in the house because I can’t receive calls LOL 😂, but instead of calling to say sorry pls just maybe say a prayer and thank God with me.Thank God I was awake to smell the smoke. Thank God we caught it early enough and the damage wasn’t so bad.. it basically burnt some of the stuff that was around it. So awards, portraits, and some small electronics. But thank God, Duke and I are alive and well. We only had to form James Bond and climb down from the balcony LOL. Thank God for my neighbors and the amazing workers in and around the compound for helping us escape via the balcony, helping put out the fire, and helping with the aftermath/cleaning.
Thank God for life. And I’m not even upset.. I’m just grateful for life and health and for the grace and mercy of God on my life. I figure I’m about to have the best year ever so the devil tried to throw a tantrum. But not today Satan. Not today, not ever. Now sit back and watch me be great. By God’s grace. Amen. God bless you all.”
-Ms. Uduak
