“My father abandoned us, but came back to die in our house” – Terry Apala

Terry Apala, a Nigerian singer, has shared his story of his father leaving him and his brothers with their mother.

He emphasized that his father was not a part of his life and that he had only returned 17 years after leaving them, dying in their home on the same day he paid them a visit.

This was revealed by the Apala crooner in an open conversation with media figure Chude Jideonwo.

He said: “My dad was not there [for me]. He was not there. He was just somewhere, living his life. I have no relationship with him at all.

“I left my dad in 1990 and the day I saw my dad was the day he was dying. He came all the way from Apapa to our house in Mushin. He was strong and healthy. He asked after my mum and I told him she wasn’t around. I called my mum and informed her that my dad was around and she told me to ask him to leave.”

“I told my dad what my mum said but he insisted that he would wait till she came back. Because my other siblings heard he was around, they couldn’t come home that night.

“So, it was just me, my dad, and our lastborn, Obi. We slept together. He slept on the bed with my junior brother. I think he was throwing up when I woke up. It was very touching. Even though I didn’t really feel bad because this man was not there, but, you know, you go pity person wey don die. So, that was the day I saw my dad last. From our house to the mortuary.

“I think he knew that he was going to die because we didn’t see him for like 15 to 17 years and suddenly, he came and rested in our house and went straight to the mortuary.”