Terry Apala: How my mum died before enjoying the wealth from my music

Terry Apala has recounted how his mother died before enjoying the proceeds of his success. 

In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, the media entrepreneur, Terry said his mum passed away from diabetes.

The singer said before his mum’s death, he had made plans to relocate her to Canada and build a house for her.

“I lost my mum two years ago, I was so close to her,” Terry said.

“In 2017, I was everywhere locally and internationally.

“I travelled to twelve countries, that was a dream come true for me as an artiste.

“She was so happy for my success but she never even enjoyed the money.

“She was trying to relocate to Canada before she died. I was already working on the papers and visa.

“I had a property in Shagamu and I was building a house for her. I was almost done with the house but she died.

“In a week, I cry at least two or three times because she was the only one I was talking to.”

Speaking on his relationship with his father, Terry Apala said he was absent from their lives.

Terry said his father parted ways with him in 1990 and returned after almost seventeen years.

He said his dad passed away after “throwing up” on the same day they met again.

“My dad was not there. He was just somewhere, living his life. I left my dad in 1990 and the day I saw him was the day he was dying,” Terry said.

“He came all the way from Apapa to our house in Mushin and he was strong. He asked for my mum and I said she had gone out. I called my mom and told her daddy was at home. She said he should leave.

“I told him but he said he would wait till she came back. He slept on the bed with my junior brother. When I woke up, I saw him throwing up. He laid his head on my junior brother.

“That was really touching, even though I didn’t really feel bad because this man was not there, but you know, you will have to pity someone who is about to die.

“So that was the day I saw my dad last. From my house to the mortuary. He knew he was about to die because we hadn’t seen him for fifteen to seventeen years.”