Asa: Why my father demoted me to public school despite his wealth

Asa has narrated how her father demoted her to a public school in childhood despite his wealth.

The singer spoke about her father’s disciplinarian measures in an interview with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, TV host.

She said she was pulled out of Subuola in Festac, Lagos, and sent to two different public schools on her dad’s call.

Asa said he had insisted she had too much privilege and needed to feel the hard life he experienced in his time.

“I was in primary school, Subuola in Festac. Then, my dad decided to demote us to a public school, School Eleven. He had this idea that we had too much and that we should go to a public school because he did himself,” she said.

“I remember that when my sandals cut, I walked bare feet to school and it wasn’t because he couldn’t afford it. We had a chequered green uniform. It was public as public can be. I learned a few tricks; how to steal people’s snacks.

“I learned how to be street-smart. I didn’t stay too long because I returned to a private school, Christian Council. They dropped me again in another public school, something grammar school, where I stayed until JSS 2.”

Asa also recalled her struggle with bullying and oppressive seniors at the Federal Government College (FGC), Jos.

“My dad wanted a new life. I was sent to Jos ahead of the family. I enrolled as a boarding student. It was a Nazi camp. It was tough and cold. Food was scarce. The students were wicked. It’s worse when they’re young,” she said.

“SS1, my welcome was a good beating from a senior who became my school mum. I would go outside and dream of walking back to Lagos. She made us steal corn and potatoes for her, tied in our shirts, from neighboring farms.

“It was trouble if you didn’t come with something. I tried to avoid the bullying but sometimes you couldn’t escape. It was terrible. The boys’ dorm was much harder. I told my dad after I stood up to a senior and he only chuckled.

“And the school authorities? No one listened and, when you’re done, you return to the dorm to face angry seniors. The housemistress was fed up with our set, 1999. Students were brutal. We had burned part of the school in a riot.”