Trag£dy as popular Nigerian chef dies at the age of 33, Hilda Baci reacts
Tragedy as popular Nigerian chef dies at the age of 33, Hilda Baci reacts
The Nigerian culinary industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of renowned food entrepreneur Mary Osadebame Arokade.
News of her passing was announced in a statement shared on her official Instagram page, which disclosed that she died on June 6, 2026.
While the statement did not reveal the circumstances surrounding her death, it confirmed that business operations associated with the late entrepreneur would be temporarily suspended as her family and loved ones grieve the loss.
The family also appealed for privacy during this difficult period, asking the public to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.
“On behalf of the family and everyone associated with the business, we extend our sincere gratitude for the support, condolences and kindness that have already been shown. Please keep the family, friends and all those affected in your thoughts during this time. Thank you for your understanding,” the statement read.
The announcement further noted that updates regarding the suspended business operations would be communicated in due course, while previously scheduled events and bookings would proceed as planned.
Following the announcement, colleagues, customers, and well-wishers flooded the comment section with heartfelt tributes, condolences, and messages celebrating the entrepreneur’s life and contributions to the food industry.
Mary Osadebame Arokade was widely respected within Nigeria’s culinary community for her entrepreneurial achievements and impact on the food business landscape.
Her passing adds to a series of losses recorded within the Nigerian culinary industry in recent years, including the deaths of Chef Benedict Okuzu in 2022, Chef Ayoade Adedayo in 2023, and Chef Imoteda Aladekomo in January 2024.
Further details regarding funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.
See the post below;
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A post shared by DEBA’S LUXURY ICE-CREAM (@debascreamery)
Hilda Baci via the comment section wrote, “This is the most heartbreaking news Deba was honestly the sweetest soul I pray her soul eternal rest.”
See screenshot below;
See other reactions below;
_chefsheba wrote, “God! what is happening??”
jbums shared, “Journey well sweet soul 💜💜✨ you were too good for this world and that’s the truth. We love you ❤️.”
chefchuchay commented, “Debaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Debaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I was meant to post this but I just couldn’t!! How would I announce to the world that you are gone ??? How ??? My dearest friend! God knows best! I love you Forever! ❤️.”
ms_lee007 reacted, “I am still hoping that this is not true, I can’t still understand, can’t wrap my head around it. We were supposed to see in Toronto Debame, I was looking forward to welcoming your darling baby to this world and now you are no more…You were with me at the darkest hour of my life, the night my husband passed, it was you the doctors called, you left your family in the middle of the night, ran to my side, you took charge, stood by me throughout the drama that ensued!! You practically carried me to your home and insisted I live with you when you saw me falling into depression….you became a sister not by blood but by connection!!! Debame!! Debame!! You formed a prayer group on my behalf, called pastors, fasted so that Tony could be well again!! And now you are no more!!! All the dreams, all the things you wanted to achieve!!! You touched lives, you were real!! There was no forming with you. You loved wholeheartedly.”
oduncreamzcakes added, “Ahhhhhhh my God What is this Jesus Christ Debassssssss Is this true Ahhhhhhhh is this is it Oh my God 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 Jesussssssss.”
daintybycheflammy shared, “I’m so heartbroken. 💔 The truth is, I never got the chance to speak with you or tell you how much I admired your work. Even though we weren’t friends, I loved and referred your brand every chance I got. From afar, I quietly admired your beauty, dedication, consistency, and hard work. I still remember the first time I tasted your ice cream at an event where I was also a vendor. I instantly fell in love with it. Since then, anytime I spotted your stand at an event, I would get so excited and make a beeline for it. 😭🤍 One day, I finally took the bull by the horns and decided I wanted to know the person behind the brand. I visited your page and continued admiring your work silently. Looking back now, I wish I had given you your flowers. I wish I had sent that DM. I wish I had told you how inspiring you were. Seeing this has shattered me. I’m in pain, and I keep thinking, “I should have.” It’s strange how deeply we can be affected by someone we’ve never met personally, yet whose passion, excellence, and presence touched our lives in ways they’ll never know. Life sha… 💔 May your beautiful soul rest in perfect peace. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world, even if for a short while. You were seen, admired, appreciated, and loved more than you probably knew. 🕊️🤍.”
