A Nigerian man, Fatai Odunsi, has made an emotional plea for financial assistance, claiming to be the father of Afrobeats sensation Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake. In a heartbreaking video that has gone viral, Odunsi revealed that he has been battling a severe stroke since 2022 and lamented that the chart-topping artist has abandoned him in his time of need.
The video, which has sparked widespread reactions across social media, captures the frail-looking Odunsi sitting beside another man identified as Sonibare, who introduced himself as his brother. Odunsi, struggling to speak fluently due to his medical condition, expressed his frustration over what he described as complete neglect by the singer. He alleged that since he fell ill on March 29, 2022, he has been unable to reach Asake, as the artist has refused to answer his calls.
“I am the father of Asake, the musician. The last time I saw him was when I became ill. Since then, he has not picked up my calls,” Odunsi said, his voice filled with emotion. “I have tried everything to reach him, but it is as if he has shut me out of his life. I am exhausted, and now I am left with no choice but to ask for help.”
His brother, Sonibare, reinforced Odunsi’s claim, stating that he had obtained permission before bringing the situation to the public. According to him, Odunsi’s condition has worsened due to a lack of funds for medical care, and their family has exhausted all means of support.
“As I said earlier, his name is Fatai Odunsi. He is the one who gave birth to Asake, whom we all know as Ololade Mr Money. We need the help of Nigerians because he is struggling to survive. He is now broke and in urgent need of medical attention,” Sonibare stated.
He went further to make a passionate appeal, urging well-meaning Nigerians to step in and support Odunsi in any way possible.
“I have done everything within my capacity, but it is not enough. That is why I have come to Nigerians for help. Even if it is just N1, please help him out. I do not want him to die young. None of us wants to die young. We needed to come to the public to ask for help because we no longer have any money.”
The viral video has triggered intense debate among Nigerians, with many questioning the legitimacy of Odunsi’s claims, while others have criticized Asake for allegedly neglecting his father. Some social media users have argued that Asake, being one of the most successful Nigerian musicians in recent years, should not allow his father to suffer, regardless of their personal differences.
However, others have pointed out that there has been no public confirmation from Asake regarding his relationship with Odunsi. Some netizens speculate that there might be deeper personal or family issues that are not being disclosed.
Asake, who rose to prominence with hit songs like “Omo Ope,” “Sungba,” and “Lonely at the Top,” has been one of the biggest names in the Nigerian music industry. His meteoric rise, backed by the YBNL record label, has seen him amass wealth and global recognition, making it even more shocking to many that a man claiming to be his father is struggling with a severe medical condition.
Despite the controversy, Asake has yet to release any official statement regarding the allegations. His silence has further fueled speculation, with some believing that he may be deliberately ignoring the matter, while others argue that he may not even be aware of Odunsi’s claims.
This unfolding situation raises broader questions about the responsibility of successful individuals toward their family members, especially estranged ones. While some believe that no matter the circumstances, a child should always support their parent, others argue that past actions and relationships should be considered before placing moral obligations.
For now, Nigerians continue to watch closely, waiting for a response from Asake or his representatives. Whether or not the musician will acknowledge or assist Odunsi remains uncertain, but the story has undoubtedly captured public attention and sparked conversations about fame, family, and financial responsibility.
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