My Father was Killed in my Presence at Age 2 – Teni 

Popular Nigerian singer, Teniola Apata, known as Teni, has candidly shared the lasting impact of the traumatic experience of witnessing her father’s assassination when she was just two years old.

Teni’s father, Simeon Apata, a retired Nigerian army Brigadier-General, tragically fell victim to an assassination carried out by gunmen on January 8, 1995, in Lagos, leaving an indelible mark on the singer’s life.

In an interview on the “Tea With Tay” podcast with host Temisan Emmanuel Ahwieh, aka Taymesan, Teni reflected on her father’s memory, stating, “My father was a disciplinarian. He was a soldier and he owned a school; Apata Memorial High School. He was also a big philanthropist.”

The singer went on to discuss the profound impact that the loss of her father had on her upbringing and psyche. “Growing up with my father passing at such a young age, the trauma of losing my father at a young age affected me,” she said. “You know, him being assassinated in the presence of all of us and all that stuff. I was 2 at the time.”

Teni revealed that her father’s assassination left her with trust issues and a void of not having a father figure in her life. She shared the chilling detail that the gunmen had entered their house with the sole intention of taking her father’s life, a fact that further exacerbated the trauma.

Despite the haunting memories of that tragic day, Teni emphasized that her father would always remain her hero, a testament to the enduring love and admiration she holds for him.