Asake, the Nigerian music sensation, is facing growing backlash from his childhood community and fans over claims of neglecting his ailing father, Fatai Odunsi. The controversy erupted after residents of Idiomo, a neighborhood on Lagos Island where Asake grew up, voiced their disappointment about the artist’s alleged lack of support for his father.
The incident unfolded when a reporter visited the community on Saturday to investigate Asake’s childhood roots. Despite the difficulty in pinpointing landmarks tied to his early life, the reporter eventually located his childhood home, a modest, twin-building compound in disrepair. The house, once part of a vibrant community space, now shows signs of neglect, with its open-air compound serving as both residential and commercial space.
As inquiries into the whereabouts of Asake’s father continued, locals expressed dismay over his apparent abandonment. One elderly neighbor, recalling the singer’s youth, voiced her displeasure, saying, “We all know his story. It’s Ahmed we used to call him. Odunsi is his father.”
Another resident, Kubirat, added that while she didn’t know Asake personally as a child, the community shared a strong sense of disappointment. The reporter eventually tracked down Odunsi’s current residence at Adeniyi-Adele, just a short distance from the singer’s childhood home. However, Odunsi’s wife declined to comment, though a family relative shared their frustration, stressing that no matter the past issues, the family had expected Asake to support his father at his current stage in life.
Meanwhile, a video circulating online has further fueled the controversy. In the video, Asake’s family accused him of abandoning his 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat, and her mother, and they publicly appealed for financial assistance. They demanded Asake either buy a house worth N50 million in his father’s name or take other steps to secure his wellbeing, with one woman pleading, “Ololade Mr. Money, come and do the needful. Please take care of your father.”
Public reaction has been divided. While some sympathize with Asake’s father, arguing that despite past issues, the singer should help his father, others accuse the family of attempting to exploit his success. Some Twitter users, like @SarahOmo, criticized Asake’s actions, with @ecomohh suggesting that the artist should place his father on a sustainable salary rather than simply gifting material items.
On the other hand, Asake has also garnered some defense, with fans like @it_Rutie arguing that his family ignored him when he was struggling and now want to capitalize on his success. Other users, like @AKIODED, pointed out the importance of parents nurturing their children properly so that, in their later years, they can rely on them with integrity.
Adding fuel to the fire, close family associates have also chimed in, including Sheriffdeen Olorunfemi, who claims to have been involved in Asake’s life and career from the early days. He criticized Asake for distancing himself from his roots after achieving fame, warning that neglecting his father could harm his future success. In a Facebook post, Olorunfemi revealed that Asake has reportedly accepted responsibility for his father’s medical bills and promised to ensure proper care moving forward, including a hospital visit to Lekki next week.
Amid the uproar, Nigerian actress Dayo Amusa also weighed in, emphasizing that parental love is vital, suggesting that no amount of fame or wealth could heal wounds caused by neglect. She called for compassion and urged parents to be present for their children, as love and support during childhood are irreplaceable.
As the controversy continues to unfold, questions remain about how Asake will respond to these allegations and whether he will act on the demands of his family and the growing criticism from his community. Messages seeking comment from his management have not been answered as of now.
For now, all eyes are on Asake and whether he will make the necessary amends to heal these family wounds.
