Renowned Nigerian singer, Teniola Apata, widely recognized as Teni, has opened up about a deeply traumatic incident from her childhood. She revealed that her father, Simeon Apata, a retired Nigerian army Brigadier-General, was tragically assassinated before her eyes along with other family members.
The horrifying event took place on January 8, 1995, when gunmen invaded their home in Lagos, resulting in the assassination of the late Brig. Gen. Apata (rtd.). At that time, Teni was merely two years old, and the memory of this tragedy has left a lasting impact on her life.
Recalling her father’s character, Teni mentioned that he was a strict disciplinarian, a soldier, and the proprietor of Apata Memorial High School. Additionally, he was known for his philanthropic endeavors, leaving a significant mark in their community.
In a recent appearance on the Tea With Tay podcast, hosted by actor Temisan Emmanuel Ahwieh, known as Taymesan, Teni spoke candidly about how the traumatic loss affected her upbringing. Losing her father at such a tender age created a void, depriving her of a crucial father figure during her formative years. The memory of witnessing her father’s assassination engendered trust issues as she grew older.