“I lost both my parents in the space of two years” – Niyola (video)

Eniola Akinbo, popularly known as Niyola, a Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress, has opened up about her recent losses.

The Toh Bad crooner revealed on her Instagram page that she had lost a close friend as well as both of her parents within the last two years.

Niyola went on to say that she has been trying to be strong in the face of adversity. “It’s almost unbelievable to some of my friends that I’m okay after losing a close friend and both my parents in the space of two years,” she wrote. They think I’m trying to be strong, waiting for the day when I finally break down and let it all out! Lol

This song Olúmorántí was dedicated to, and named after my father while expressing my confusion and faith in God to keep me going.

I had no idea this night was a declaration of surrender,and a rededication as I unashamedly broke down the first and only time I publicly performed the song. I cried as I sang the words from deep within my heart in front of strangers without a care in the world.
To think that I almost didn’t record it. God bless @moelogo for allowing this come into the realms of reality.

I had not the slightest inkling the depth of God’s love and it’s healing power. To say this revelation changed me would be an understatement! How could I possibly fathom something so deep and immeasurable? It had to be revealed, and then received.
I missed my father, the first man I ever loved and I was numb! I didn’t know how or what to feel just being on earth without my mum and now him.

I have never been one to cry easily but this song was the beginning of the melting of my heart, my journey to vulnerability and acceptance of the true meaning of love. It’s indescribable and so peaceful, nothing else matters.

With this song, God turned my numb heart of stone to flesh . Now I melt to nothing and weep uncontrollably from the overwhelming peace and love I experience every passing second, moment and day, and each time I think of the love my Heavenly Father has for me and how blessed I am to be His own. God is real, and He is love !”

Niyola got signed to Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) in 2012, with the song, ‘Toh Bad’ released the following year becoming a hit single, that opened a new page in her music career.

She was in the label alongside Wizkid, Skales and Shaydee.

EME, in 2018, rebranded to become a talent management company focused on creative marketing, advertising, PR and brand events.

Niyola who has been away from the music scene for a long time now made an entry into the Nigerian film scene. She plays a lead role in the Netflix Original, “Swallow”.

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