Eric Arubayi, a Nigerian gospel singer and the 3rd runner up of West African Idol, died on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

His passing was confirmed to CEOAFRICA source  by fellow West African Idol Alumnus, Timi Dakolo, who won the reality TV contest in 2007.

Arubayi was he was a popular worship leader at the House on the Rock Church and performed at many gospel events around the country. He launched his debut album, Redefined in 2011. The album featured the likes of Jesse Jagz. He is popularly known for hits like I Go Make Am, Mr DJ, One Love, One Voice, and Everything. He was also an interior decorator.

“I hate to lose anybody. There’s no happy man like Eric,” Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the senior pastor of House on The Rock Church in Lagos, is quoted as saying on Sunday. 

 “Eric is with God now. Eric cannot be resurrected, he is not coming back. He’s dead…with the Lord but he’s happy. We mourn because we miss him but Eric is in a good place now.”

Eric Arubayi, who was married with a child, reportedly took ill and bought malaria drug and took it.

Unfortunately, the drug was expired and led to a kidney failure. He was rushed to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, where he went into a coma and died a few days later.

This detail was published on Twitter by Jude ‘Feranmi, the youth leader of KOWA Party.