By Oluwatosin Maliki
In a heartbreaking incident, popular fashion designer, Fola Francis met an untimely demise on 20th December 2023.
The sad incident happened at Ilashe beach, where the activist was reportedly said to have drowned.
Fola, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s transgender community rose to fame as the first transgender individual to grace the catwalk at Lagos Fashion Week for Cute-Saint and Fruché in 2022.
Quest gathered that Vincent Desmond (@vincentdesmond_), a freelance journalist, confirmed the news on Friday, December 22 on X (formerly Twitter).
He wrote, “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our best friend and sister, Fola Francis who drowned on Wednesday, 20th of December 2023. Fola Francis was a beacon of hope and a light to us and a lot of other people and we’re deeply hurt by her passing.”
Also, he disclosed plans for a memorial service to honour Fola’s memory, while requesting privacy for her grieving family and friends during this difficult period.
Fola Francis who was known for his unique fashion sense, advocated for LGBTQIA+ rights.