Popular Nigerian singer Niniola Apata has responded to rumors that she is secretly married.
Rumour had it that the “Maradona” crooner’s marriage was the reason for her lack of attention.
In a recent interview with Yanga FM Lagos, Niniola addressed the claims and explained that she is not yet married.
She refuted rumours that she was hiding her marriage to avoid any negative impact on her bookings or career.
The 38-year-old said, “I don’t care whatever anyone does or says [regarding my personal life]. After all, I’m not a 12-year-old. I’m old enough to say whatever it is I want to say with my full chest. I’m not married.”
Niniola explained why she hasn’t yet worked with her younger sister, singer Teni, saying that the correct conditions must be met.
There is no family in business, she added, underscoring the fact that music is a business.
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In August, Niniola cannot get over the trauma of watching her father, Simeon Apata, a retired Nigerian Army Brigadier-General, being assassinated.
Gunmen assassinated Gen. Apata (rtd.) on January 8, 1995, in Lagos, in the presence of his family.
Revisiting the tragic incident in a recent interview with Jay On Air, Niniola said it is hard for her to get over it because she was her late father’s favourite child.
“I was in the house when my dad was murdered. And I was his favorite child, so you can imagine [the trauma]. Till today, I’m not over it. I can never get over it,” she said.
“I was very young when it happened. Don’t remember my exact age then but it wasn’t a good memory.”
In the interview, the singer explained why she never signed with a record label.
In an interview on Hip TV, the ‘All Eyes On Me’ hitmaker said she received several record deal offers after releasing her debut single, however, she was hesitant due to fears of losing her “creative freedom”.
“I have been an independent artiste for 10 years now, and it has its pros and cons. After I released my debut single in 2014, several record labels were calling me, but at the time, I was sceptical because I didn’t want anyone to take away my creative freedom,” she said
