LAGOS, Nigeria – Nigerian music sensation Teniola Apata, widely recognized as Teni, has candidly revealed the profound impact of witnessing her father’s murder on her life. Her father, retired Nigerian army Brigadier-General Simeon Apata, was tragically assassinated on January 8, 1995, in Lagos.
During the latest episode of the Tea With Tay podcast, hosted by actor Temisan Emmanuel Ahwieh, popularly known as Taymesan, Teni opened up about the traumatic incident that occurred in their living room when she was just two years old.
In a heartfelt conversation, Teni described the harrowing experience of witnessing her father’s assassination and growing up without the guidance of a father figure, which subsequently led to trust issues in her life.
“My father was a disciplinarian. He was a soldier and he owned a school; Apata Memorial High School. He was also a big philanthropist,” Teni reminisced, before delving into the painful memories of her childhood. “Growing up with my father passing at such a young age, the trauma of losing my father at a young age affected me. You know, him being assassinated in the presence of all of us and all that stuff. I was 2 at the time. Him passing away robbed me as a child of having a father figure. It sort of made me have trust issues growing up. Because they [gunmen] came into our house purposely to kill him.”
Teni’s candid revelation on the podcast has resonated with many of her fans, who have praised her for her bravery in sharing such a deeply personal and painful aspect of her life.
In a separate story, the singer sparked reactions on her Instagram story when she shared a video of herself playing with her pet, humorously named ‘Burna Boy.’ While many fans found the video endearing, some internet users speculated that it could be interpreted as a playful dig at Grammy Award-winning singer Dami Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy.
Teni’s openness about her past and her continued success in the music industry serve as a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Her story continues to inspire and connect with fans worldwide.
