Tonto Dikeh’s ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill has shared a post in remembrance of Sir Simon Olaosebikan Apata, the late father of singers Teni and Niniola.
He wrote:
“IN MEMORIAL OF AN ICON OF OUR TIME. A MAN WHOSE ENDURING LEGACY LIVES ON FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS.
SIR SIMEON OLAOSEBIKAN APATA of blessed memory.
25 years of glorious enduring legacy celebrated.
Long may you live still in the hearts of us all that loves you forever.
On this very day, January 8, 1995, making it 25 long years ago, a quarter of a century now at that, the sad occurrence happened that took us all by surprise & that has stayed with me now forever occurred. It was on that day, that the dastardly hands of death took you away from us, so very untimely. You were snatched from us all that LOVED & loves you. It was the day the enemies of progress had their field day as you were snatched from us, in such a cruel manner.
Tears still comes from my eyes even till now, when I remember that sad day and how painful your death was. I particularly, still feel your loss a whole lot.
Your care for me and your investment in my life, is the result of who I have become now, like so many others whose lives you also touched too in the same way. A caring and loving disciplinarian unparalleled. The owner of probably the best private school then, with excellence and total well-being as our watchword.
I am having a very sober reflection of you today and a type of a celebration of your life too at the same time. What you invested in many years back, has been yielding extraordinary results seen in many of us that you touched their lives, myself and many others.
So your memories LIVES on in all of us and can never ever be erased, no matter what. We still love you sir.
So at the end of the day, what has death gained by taking you away from us? what has it achieved by snatching you away? So sad that you are not physically here with us no more. But we thank God for the opportunity to live your dream of us.
Your good works and excellent nurturing were parts of my inspiration to become the success I am today and I am forever grateful for it.
Wow wow wow, so it’s 25 years already. Hmmmmmmm….. Continue to rest in the bosom of your maker. We will continue to make you Super PROUD. We will not disappoint you, we promise that sir.
Rest on.
Churchill Oladunni Olakunle”
