By American-based Nigerian gospel singer Mary Adenike Fasanya was seriously injured in a highway collision Tuesday, barely six weeks after launching her music ministry with a debut concert in Pennsylvania. While the presentation of the singles was on October 12, 2024, the near fatal incident occurred on November 12, 2024.
The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Highway 22 near Blairsville when a speeding Ford Ram collided with Fasanya’s SUV, leaving both vehicles severely damaged. Fasanya, a nurse and mother of three, was returning from an overnight shift when the crash occurred. She underwent several hours of surgery, while the condition of the other driver remains unknown.
The accident comes just weeks after Fasanya, known to her congregation as Deaconess Mary, celebrated the release of her first five singles at Living Spring Community Church, a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) branch in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The October 12 concert featured her band, MA’Rock Praise, performing new tracks including “Iba re” (Your Reference), “You are an awesome God,” and “The King of Glory.”
In a recent interview before the accident, Fasanya described her path to gospel music: “I’m motivated by my faith and a desire to connect with people. My experiences in life and my relationship with God inspire my music.”
The Nigerian-born artist highlighted “Your name is wonderful” as particularly meaningful, revealing it came to her in a dream. “God has proved to me in many ways that He is my all in all. This song motivated me to start this ministry,” she said.
Fasanya had discussed the challenges of balancing her musical calling with her healthcare career and family responsibilities. “Being a nursing student when I started prepare and with a full-time job and a full-time mom was not easy,” she acknowledged, but maintained her commitment to both vocations. “My job as a nurse and my ministry will not affect each other. I create different times for my job and my ministry.”
Before the accident, she expressed ambitious plans for her music ministry: “To continue to write songs that will lift the spirits of people. To perform more concerts often, wherever God leads. To make sure the songs are heard all over the world to the glory of God.”
Sources close to the family report that Fasanya is now recovering at home. The accident highlights the delicate balance she maintained between her nursing career, music ministry, and family life, themes she often discussed in relation to her gospel music career.
Her recent concert showcased not only her musical talents but also her unique perspective on the relationship between healthcare and ministry. “There are connections between the two,” she noted in her pre-accident interview. “Music can help in relaxation and pain management.”
The timing of the accident, coming just as her music ministry was gaining momentum, has resonated deeply within her church community, where she serves as both a healthcare professional and spiritual leader through music.
