Nigerian singer Niniola recently opened up about the heartbreaking memory of her father’s murder in 1995. She revealed that she was in the house when retired Brigadier-General Simeon Apata, her father, was killed by gunmen in Lagos.
“I was my father’s favourite child. I was in the house that day when he was murdered. Till today, I have not gotten over it. I can never get over it. It wasn’t a good memory,” Niniola said, describing the trauma as unforgettable and deeply painful.
The tragic incident also impacted her younger sister, Teni, who was just two years old at the time. Both sisters have spoken about how losing their father at such a young age shaped their lives and left lasting emotional scars.
Despite the tragedy, the Apata family continues to honor their father’s legacy, including through the Apata Memorial Schools in Isolo, Lagos. Niniola and Teni have both carved successful careers in music, with Niniola known for her fusion of Afrobeats and house music, and Teni gaining fame for her hit songs.
The sisters’ resilience stands as a testament to their strength in the face of a devastating loss that still lingers in their hearts.
