Veteran Nigerian musician, Innocent Onyebuchi, popularly known as Daddy Fresh, has made a distressing revelation that he has sold all his possessions while battling a prolonged and life-threatening illness.
The Ajegunle-born singer, known for his hit songs in the 1990s, disclosed his condition in a video shared by filmmaker Kunle Afod on Instagram on Wednesday. In the clip, Daddy Fresh appeared frail and bedridden, describing how his health had deteriorated over the past two years.
The emotional footage, also shared by Afod on Facebook with the caption “Daddy Fresh must not die. One of Nigeria’s finest artistes is in a terrible condition,” has drawn widespread sympathy from fans and industry colleagues.
When Afod walked into the hospital ward, Daddy Fresh expressed surprise at the filmmaker’s visit. “Na lie, how you take know say I dey here? You’re the last person I could think of. I was wondering if I was hallucinating again,” he said weakly.
Speaking about his medical challenges, the singer explained that he is suffering from multiple health complications, including kidney and liver problems, neuropathy, and partial blindness. “My kidney, my liver, neuropathy. Eyes, two of them get issues, I don operate on this one, e no dey see again. I no dey see you,” he said.
He revealed that his blood level had dropped to a critical 25 per cent and that he now relies on blood transfusions to survive. “If I stand up here now, I go fall except somebody hold me. See my face, my knees wounds because of falling like a child learning to walk,” he added.
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Beyond his health troubles, Daddy Fresh lamented that he has also been served a quit notice from his apartment due to unpaid rent. “I have a few days in my house because of the rent. I have to move on to where I don’t know,” he said, adding that he had sold everything he owned to pay for treatments.
Despite his dire situation, the singer expressed gratitude to Kunle Afod for his surprise visit, saying it gave him renewed hope. Afod, who offered financial assistance and promised to mobilise more help, called on Nigerians, fans, and the entertainment industry to rally support for the ailing artiste.
“Daddy Fresh gave us joy. He deserves our support now,” Afod said.