Veteran Nollywood actor and broadcaster, Patrick Doyle, has announced the death of his newborn daughter, hours after sharing news of her birth with the public.
Doyle disclosed the painful development in a fresh Facebook post, saying the baby, Omayinuwa Mayen Harriet Doyle, died on Saturday, April 11, shortly after she was born on Friday, April 10.
He wrote, “Omayinuwa visited us briefly at about 10:40 am on Friday 10th April and returned to heaven on Saturday, 11th of April at about 4:15 pm. Her stay was short but it brought great joy with it. We would wished for a longer stay, but alas heaven thought otherwise.
“This much we know though, God still rules in the affairs of men. Our faith in the goodness of God remains resolute regardless.
“Sibe’ sibe’ Oluwa n’be’
“It is well with our soul.”
The post came shortly after the actor had announced her arrival in an earlier message filled with gratitude.
At the time, Doyle wrote, “To the glory of God, I announce the precious addition of a female child to my quiver.
“OMAYINUWA MAYEN HARRIET DOYLE was born yesterday at about 10:40 AM. Mother and child are doing well and daddy is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to God Almighty.”
The latest development has drawn messages of sympathy from fans and colleagues, many of whom had earlier celebrated with him after the birth announcement.
The tragedy comes as Doyle continues a new phase of his personal life following the end of his marriage to Nollywood actress, Ireti Doyle.
The Guardian had reported in 2023 that Ireti confirmed their divorce during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo on his show WithChude.
“We are officially divorced,” she said.
The former couple got married in 2004, and their union, which produced children, had faced longstanding speculation about a breakdown before the separation was publicly confirmed in 2023.
Ireti Doyle later explained that she had initially chosen not to speak about the separation because she considered it a private matter that concerned only her family.
Following the divorce, Patrick Doyle remarried in early 2023.
