- After a viral video showed Afrobeat artiste Asake's alleged father, Fatai Odunsi, pleading for financial aid, many netizens have come forward to share their accounts of him
- Asake's former manager, Tunde Phoenix, criticised the artiste, and pledged to start a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Odunsi’s treatment
- Personal testimonies from those who know Odunsi describe him as a devoted father who raised Asake after his mother left, contradicting earlier speculations that he was a deadbeat father
Following a viral video of Afrobeat singer Asake’s alleged father, Fatai Odunsi, pleading for financial assistance, his acquaintances have stepped forward to defend him. While many netizens speculated that Odunsi was an absent father, his supporters argue otherwise.
Asake's former manager, Tunde Phoenix and other individuals who claim to know Odunsi personally have spoken out, contradicting the notion that he was absent during Asake's childhood.
Tunde Phoenix blew hot at Asake, hinting at the artiste's pattern of betraying those who helped him, potentially explaining his alleged neglect of his father. However, he pledged to start a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for his treatment.
On his Instagram story, he wrote,
“Operation Go Fund Me For your favourites Papa.
Please help us find that old MAN his seed won't listen, he abandons people who have helped him.
“Even if they left you, should you act like them when God has blessed you beyond your wildest dreams.”
He further expressed his willingness to take up Asake's responsibility irrespective of the narratives going around, stating,
“One by one God will show you who they are not my words anymore. Go and pick Papi up We don't care if he left as a child, in fact I believe that MAN over nothing you will say. If you don't, WE will handle your responsibilities for you and do a full interview with him to give us all the truths the Masses want to know.”
Tunde Phoenix was not the only one who reacted to this, another individual, Segun Ben-Ajayi also defended Odunsi, stating that he was a dedicated father who made significant sacrifices for Asake’s upbringing.
He emphasised that he was never an absent father, contrary to popular claims. He stated that he made significant sacrifices for Asake's well-being, but unfortunately, the situation has escalated to this point.
“Without evidence, many quickly assumed he was an absent father, concluding that he deserved his fate. But as more voices emerged-especially from Lagos Island, where he lived-a different truth was revealed.
“Mr. Odunsi Fatai was not an absentee father. Far from it. He single-handedly raised Asake from the age of three, after his mother left. He worked as an LG council staff on the Island, known and respected by many.
“He sold his car to send Asake to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). Asake Primary & secondary teachers, colleagues, and neighbors have all testified to his sacrifices and dedication.”
However, former Big Brother Naija housemate, Phyna had a different opinion, highlighting the emotional toll of absent parents reappearing later in life.
On her X page, she wrote,
“Seeing this Asake’s dad It’s heartbreaking when parents neglect a child for years, only to return later seeking public sympathy as if they were the ones abandoned.
“The emotional toll on the child is immense they’re forced to process years of neglect while also dealing with public judgment. It’s an unfair situation where the child, who struggled alone, now has to defend themselves against a narrative that paints them as the villain.
“The embarrassment and mental strain of having to justify their absence when it was never their choice is something no one should have to endure. The lives of Children that their parents were not in their lives matters.”
Further reactions trail Asake's alleged father's outcry
Here are some reactions below,
@iamdreofficial commented: “Shey when issues never happened between u and asake u advice am to remember the man?”
@eruejenny commented: “For the records....if u abandon me I am reciprocating even if u bring me to this world.”
@rich_kinging commented: “Help your father regardless, blood na blood.”
@boujeebabes.ng commented: "When they grow up they will look for me" kind of Dad.”
@pickcart_with_havilah commented: “You see that words he said " Even if they left you, should you act like them when God has blessed you beyond your wildest dreams. Who tell you it's beyond his wildest dreams? When they dey abandon or left him then where are you in his life?
Do you know his trauma? Why Ex-manager dey Write Epistles for family matter? Why papa leave or left?”
@_sweetiedee commented: “How your kids treat you when they are no longer in need of food and shelter is a direct reflection of how you made them feel when they needed you to survive.
He could be a good man but not a good father.”
@amukoyodesmond commented: “A bad child is a bad child forget mother's influence. He is a grown man now and no one except him can influence his decisions. Well I know for sure God will send people to help that man and he will get better if he Asake can buy birkin bags, LV and Hermes for babes base on Kpekus let him do it for the dad as a charity case even if there is something the mam did to him in the past that we are not aware and don't what to know cause it is their family issue.”
@ca_dija commented: “Its not possible is father will be so kind to him and he will abandoned him that way Only Gos knows the truth,”
@the_3k_shop commented: “The whole thing is not making sense to me, how was his father so kind to him and then Asake will abandon him?”
Asake, Eva Apio spark dating rumours, netizens react
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigerian singer Asake and Uganda model Eva were spotted for the second time in Paris.
The duo stepped out in matching outfits to a fashion show. Pictures of them on social media have sparked dating rumours, generating reactions.