A Nigerian man, Fatai Odunsi, has made an emotional appeal for financial assistance, claiming to be the biological father of popular Afrobeats singer, Ahmed Ololade, better known as Asake.
Odunsi, who says he has been battling a stroke since 2022, accused the music star of abandoning him in his time of need. In a video that has now gone viral, the elderly man alleged that since his health deteriorated, Asake has neither visited him nor answered his calls.
“I am the father to Asake who is singing. The last time I saw him was when this thing happened to me on March 29, 2022,” Odunsi lamented in the video.
“He does not pick up my calls anytime I call him. Now I have become tired. I have been looking for this my brother and I recently met with him.”
Odunsi was accompanied in the video by a man identified as Sonibare, who claimed to be his brother. Sonibare revealed that Odunsi had consented to making his situation public, adding that he took the step because all other efforts to get help had failed.
“As I said earlier, his name is Fatai Odunsi. He is the one who gave birth to Asake whom every one of us knows as Ololade Mr Money. We need the help of Nigerians because he is now broke,” Sonibare said.
“I have done the best I could as a person. That is why I am coming to you Nigerians to come to our aid. Whatever amount you can give, even if it is N1, please help him out. I do not want him to die young. We all will not die young too.”
The man also stressed that he did not act without Odunsi’s permission, stating that the elderly man had been searching for him to make his plight public.
“We needed to come to the public to ask for help because we no longer have the money,” he added.
Public Reaction and Asake’s Silence
The video has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing sympathy for Odunsi’s condition. Some users criticized Asake for allegedly neglecting his supposed father, while others questioned the credibility of Odunsi’s claim, urging caution before passing judgment.
As of now, Asake has not responded to the allegations or publicly acknowledged Odunsi’s claims. The singer, who gained fame with his hit songs “Mr Money” and “Peace Be Unto You,” has been one of the most successful Afrobeats artists in recent years, headlining sold-out concerts across the world.
This is not the first time a Nigerian celebrity has been accused of abandoning a family member. In the past, similar allegations have been made against other high-profile entertainers, fueling debates about the responsibilities of successful individuals towards their extended families.
The Rise of Asake
Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, shot to fame in 2022 after signing with YBNL Nation, a record label owned by rapper Olamide. His rapid rise in the music industry has been described as remarkable, with hit songs and an international fan base that has cemented his place among Afrobeats’ biggest stars.
Born in Lagos, Asake grew up in a family that reportedly supported his passion for music. While little is publicly known about his early family life, he has often credited hard work and divine grace for his success. His stage name, Asake, is derived from his mother’s name, leading some to speculate that he has a closer relationship with her than with his father.
Family Disputes and Celebrity Culture
The controversy surrounding Odunsi’s claims reflects a broader pattern in the Nigerian entertainment industry, where disputes over family ties often emerge when a celebrity attains fame and wealth. Some observers argue that these conflicts are fueled by unrealistic expectations placed on successful individuals, while others believe that stars have a moral duty to support their relatives, especially in times of need.
While it remains unclear whether Odunsi is truly Asake’s father, the public nature of the appeal has put pressure on the singer to address the situation. If he confirms the relationship, the conversation will likely shift to whether he has done enough to assist his father. However, if he denies the claims, questions will arise about Odunsi’s motivations for going public.
