Asake under fire as childhood neighbours, fans condemn neglect of ailing father

Some residents of Idiomo, a bustling neighbourhood in Isale Eko, Lagos Island, where pop singer, Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, grew up, have voiced their disappointment over the artiste’s perceived neglect of his ailing father, Fatai Odunsi.

During a visit to the community on Saturday, our correspondent observed a palpable sense of dissatisfaction among locals. Arriving shortly after midday, initial attempts to locate landmarks tied to Asake’s upbringing proved difficult. However, the strong communal ties of the neighbourhood eventually led to the discovery of his childhood home.

The house, part of a pair of twin buildings painted in deep brown, sat haphazardly within an unfenced compound. Signs of wear and neglect were evident, with crumbling structures in view. The open-air compound served both residential and commercial purposes, as suggested by the pungent scent of paint and the number of people gathered around. As inquiries continued about the current whereabouts of Asake’s father, some residents readily shared their opinions.

The sentiment was clear—many were displeased with Asake’s alleged abandonment of his father. While recalling their shared history, an elderly woman who refused to disclose her name revealed that the singer was known as Ahmed in his youth. “We all know his story. It is Ahmed we called him. Odunsi is his father (referring to the person we were looking for).” She then went on to describe the singer in some unprintable terms.

Another resident, Kubirat, echoed similar feelings, admitting that while she did not know Asake as a child, the general mood in the community reflected disappointment. Guided by some neighbours, our correspondent proceeded to Odunsi’s current residence at Adeniyi-Adele, just a short distance from Asake’s childhood home. In contrast to the liveliness of Idiomo, this area was noticeably quieter, with only a few shops lining the streets.

Upon arrival, Odunsi’s wife informed our correspondent that he was not home and declined comments. However, a family relative who anonymously spoke to our correspondent expressed disappointment over the perceived estrangement. He noted, “Even if Asake had issues with his father, the family had expectations that there is a height of success one gets to that one will overlook certain things.”

Meanwhile, recall that in a video circulating online, Asake’s family made a public appeal, outlining what they believe the singer should do to support his father. They also accused him of abandoning his 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat, and her mother, further stating that they were willing to conduct a DNA test to confirm Zeenat’s paternity.

They demanded, “If you truly don’t want to take care of him (his father), at least buy a house worth N50 million in his name, and he will survive on the rent. He’s not asking for much.” A woman in the video made a direct plea, saying, “I am begging you, Ololade Mr Money, come and do the needful. Please take care of your father.”

Fans, close associates react

While some believe Asake should care for his father despite any past grievances, others argue that his family is attempting to exploit his success. X user @SarahOmo sympathised with the father, writing, “Asake’s response is so hurtful. His father may have made mistakes, but he’s still his dad.”

@ecomohh suggested a sustainable approach, saying, “Asake is super rich now; he should place his dad on a salary or open a business for him that will sustain him more than buying a car he won’t be able to manage.” However, others defended Asake’s stance. @it_Rutie wrote, “His father and family are opportunists. They ignored him when he was broke, and now they want to feed where they didn’t work.”

@AKIODED argued, “The son you didn’t provide for, now he must provide for you. I think this is a lesson for every parent to take care of their children so they even have any moral standing for the children to take care of them in the future.” Some netizens criticized the manner in which the family made their appeal. @bayo noted, “Look at how this video reeks of emotional blackmail. They even had to invite the baby mama so they could get the public sympathy they wanted. It is well.”

@Joan_Afc expressed concern, saying, “They will drive him to depression. This is disgusting!” Others were more critical. @TSNAB wrote, “If I was Asake, I would never go close to those leeches. A dad who abandoned me is nothing but a stranger.” @BlessedMama added, “Asake’s father should be ashamed of himself. Collecting money from his son and still having the nerve to complain.”

A Facebook user, Sheriffdeen Ojon Olorunfemi, who claims to be a close associate of Asake’s family, has been actively posting about the controversy surrounding the singer and his father, Fatai Odunsi. Affirming his connection to the family in a post, he wrote, “Egbon Malo and my uncle, Ambaliu Olorunfemi, worked together as Local Government Council traffic officials.”

Reflecting on Asake’s journey to fame, he shared more details about their relationship: “He inherited all the talents of his father, both in singing and drumming. During his struggles to succeed in life, Allah made me become involved in his life in one way or the other, through his mother, who informed me about his music career. Ahmed himself contacted me via WhatsApp after his mother shared my contact information with him. I recall praying for him for several days. As I always say, no prayer goes to waste.

“While I cannot definitively say whether my prayers were answered, I can see that all that I told his mother about Ahmed is manifesting in his life now. I thank God for his life, and I advise him not to neglect his father if he wishes to continue prospering in life, thinking about his son neglecting him caused his stroke in 2022 and also delaying the healing on time. My name is Alfa Sheriff Islander Omo Oju Olokun, Isale-Eko, Lagos Island.”

In another post, Olorunfemi alleged that Asake distanced himself from his roots after finding success: “Someone told me that Ahmed made a statement a few years ago, after achieving fame, that he would not have any connections with the Isale-Eko people!”

In response to Olorunfemi’s post, Budo Ololade, who claims to be a former friend of Asake, shared,  “He’s my right-from-time buddy. I haven’t communicated with Ahmed since the fame, but at least I have a little access, talking to a few people around him, e.g., his manager. However, there are a few of our childhood pals from the same Isale-Eko that have gone global also, like Idowest and Demola (Mayzee). At least I am privileged to communicate with them, and they can easily penetrate him and let the right thing be done.”

Days after the video of Asake’s father’s appeal went viral, Olorunfemi addressed the public again on Facebook, saying, “Anyone who doesn’t know Malo, Ahmed, and Iya Ashake but you’re online, calling his father all sorts of names and saying he didn’t care for Ahmed just to get traffic on your page and monetization money, God will judge you negatively in this holy month. Because none of you people saying rubbish know this family more than we people in Isale-Eko. We both lived together in Isale Eko with these people or family, and we know each other better! Baraka Jumath and Ramadan Kareem.”

In the comment section, Wale Balogun reacted by saying, “Egbon, I don’t want to say anything about the matter from the onset, but the way people are accusing Bro Malo of neglecting Asake was really disappointing and annoying at the same time. Bro Malo used to live in my family house at No. 4, Ojuyewa Lane with Hammed for years before they moved to Okiti. So I know much about these people. Iya Hammed (Sis Fali) was eku eda. I don’t know what could have happened later on that made her turn her child against his dad. Even if Asake doesn’t want to take care of his father, she is in the right position to let the boy do the needful. From now on, I won’t keep quiet in people’s comment sections anymore because no parent deserves this kind of treatment in old age.”

A child needs love, not rejection, Actress, Dayo Amusa defends Asake

Weighing in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the singer in an Instagram post on Saturday, Nollywood actress, Dayo Amusa, emphasised the importance of parental presence and love, suggesting that childhood wounds cannot be healed by fame or wealth. “When Asake covered his face in tattoos, I once remarked that he was either rebranding or masking a pain he wasn’t ready to confront,” Amusa wrote.

She added that while there are claims that his father was absent and his mother was harsh, she would not judge them but rather emphasise that “What matters is that Asake deserves love, not a public spectacle. Fame doesn’t heal the wounds of parental rejection. A child raised on ‘I love you’ moves through life differently than one who hears, ‘I want nothing to do with you.’ Some wounds money cannot fix- only deep, intentional healing can. Rather than judge, I choose to send love to this remarkable artist. To parents: Be present. Be the voice your child hears before the world tries to define them. A child who feels truly seen and loved at home has less to prove to the world. As a victim of such circumstances, I can relate. I wish him well.”

Amusa also urged parents to be present and be the voice their child hears before the world tries to define them. “A child who feels truly seen and loved at home has less to prove to the world. As a victim of such circumstances, I can relate.

I wish him well,” she concluded.

When Sunday Scoop contacted the singer’s management to inquire about his next move regarding his father’s abandonment allegations, N50m request and DNA test for his daughter, no response was given. As of the time of filing this report, messages sent to his manager via SMS and WhatsApp were not responded to.

However, Sheriffdeen Olorunfemi, who claims to be a close associate of the Asake’s father claimed on his Facebook page on Saturday that the singer had accepted to take responsibility for his father’s medical bills and also do other necessary things.  “He accepted responsibility for his mistakes, and Pupsy will be taken to Lekki Hospital next week! He agreed to do whatever it takes for Pupsy”, he wrote.