Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has marked what would have been the seventh birthday of his late son, Ifeanyi Adeleke, with a heartfelt message expressing enduring love and loss.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the singer took to his Instagram Stories and X account to honour the young boy.
“LLI 🕊️ Happy birthday son .. me and mommy miss and love you! Keep flying high! ❤️,” Davido wrote.
The initials “LLI” are widely understood by fans to stand for “Long Live Ifeanyi,” a phrase the artist has used in previous tributes.
Ifeanyi was born on October 20, 2019, to Davido and his wife, Chioma Adeleke. He died on October 31, 2022, at the age of three after drowning in a swimming pool at the family’s residence in Banana Island, Lagos. An autopsy conducted at the time confirmed drowning as the cause of death, according to the Lagos State Police Command.
The toddler’s passing triggered widespread mourning across Nigeria and beyond, with fans, celebrities and public figures sending messages of condolence to the family.
Davido and Chioma later welcomed twins in 2023. Despite the arrival of their other children, the couple has continued to remember Ifeanyi on significant dates, including his birthday.
The latest tribute drew emotional responses from fans online, many of whom shared memories of the child and expressed sympathy for the parents. One commenter described Ifeanyi’s death as “one of the most painful” losses Nigerians have collectively experienced.
Davido’s quiet yet deeply personal message once again highlighted the lasting impact of the tragedy on the family nearly four years later.
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