A Nigerian family in Calgary is in mourning after their 12-year-old son, Damilola Afolabi, drowned in Mahogany Lake just two months after they moved to Canada for a better life.
Damilola died on Sunday after jumping into the lake while playing with friends. According to reports, he could not swim and did not resurface after entering the water. Bystanders pulled him from the bottom of the lake and rushed him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The boy was buried on Wednesday at the Muslim Cemetery of Calgary, with relatives and community members in attendance.
Family spokesperson Patrick Adda said the Afolabis had recently relocated from Ghana and were still settling into their new environment.
“They came in here. They have no one. And all of us here, we’re like angels that came in their lives to see how best we can help them migrate to the best place to live and work, which is Calgary,” Adda said.
Damilola’s father, Jubreel Afolabi, said his son had just returned from church before asking to go outside to play.
“On Sunday, my son just came from the church, and he wanted to play a little at the front of the house. That’s the end. I would never see my son again. When I see my son, I saw his body lying there,” he said.
Jubreel recalled that before leaving Ghana, Damilola thanked him for giving the family a chance at a better life in Canada.
“When we were about to leave Ghana, Dami said, ‘Daddy, thank you for the good life you are going to give us in Canada.’ I didn’t know that my son would never be with me at this moment anymore,” he said.
The 12-year-old was one of four children. His younger sister, who called him “Da,” has continued asking for him since his death.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about safety at Mahogany Lake, where several drowning cases have been recorded. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the incident raises questions about safety infrastructure and equipment around the lake.
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the grieving family.