As the third anniversary of the tragic passing of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) alumnus and singer, Patrick Fakoya, popularly known as Rico Swavey, is marked, his management team and fans have taken to social media to celebrate his memory and enduring legacy.
Rico, who gained fame as a calm and creative housemate during the 2018 *Double Wahala* edition of BBNaija, died on October 13, 2022, after a fatal car accident along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway in Lagos. He was 29.
In a post shared on Instagram on Monday, his management team paid tribute to his vibrant life, writing, “On this 3rd anniversary, we remember not just your departure, but the life you lived and the love you gave. In the hearts of those who loved you, your memory blooms like a garden of everlasting flowers.”
The touching message, accompanied by a photo of the late star, drew an outpouring of love from fans who recalled his humility, musical talent, and advocacy for mental health.
Rico’s death, which occurred two days after the crash, had sparked nationwide conversations about road safety and emergency response in Nigeria. The incident was widely reported after fellow ex-housemates, including Tobi Bakre and Alex Unusual, made emotional pleas for medical assistance during his final hours.
His mother, Halima Hassan, in a 2024 interview with journalist Chude Jideonwo, recounted the heartbreaking experience of holding her son in his final moments, saying, “I was pleading with him to come back to me.”
Eyewitness Sunday, Michael, an Uber driver who assisted at the crash scene, had dismissed reports suggesting Rico was intoxicated, insisting that poor road conditions caused the accident. Doren Specialist Hospital, where Rico was first treated, also denied allegations of negligence, explaining that medical staff did all they could to stabilize him before his transfer.
Beyond his reality TV fame, Rico Swavey pursued a career in music with songs like ‘Emotions’ and later established the Rico Foundation to empower underprivileged youth.
During BBNaija Season 10, the show organizers honored his memory alongside other departed housemates — Francisca Owumi (Season 1) and Joseph Ada (Season 4) — with an emotional tribute and a minute of silence.
Rico’s legacy, friends say, continues to inspire hope, kindness, and creativity in the hearts of those who knew and admired him.
