Veteran Afro-Juju singer, Sir Shina Peters, has opened up about the tough childhood experience that made him leave his parents at the age of 10.
Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, the music legend said financial hardship in his family forced him to seek independence at a young age.
He recalled that his parents could not afford a proper home and that the situation became uncomfortable for him.
“What made me leave my parents at 10 was because they didn’t have money to rent a room and parlour,” he said. “Anytime we were on holidays, I would go to Oshodi. They would spread a mat for me to sleep on the floor while my parents slept on the bed, waiting for me to fall asleep before they could perform husband and wife duties. I couldn’t sleep, and it was painful.”
Shina Peters said the experience pushed him to take charge of his life early.
“I don’t like to talk about it because it’s painful. Seeing my father and mother struggle made me decide to leave. I told myself, ‘Shina, go outside and find life for yourself.’ I was a spiritual boy; I used to fast for 60, even 90 days. So one day, I told them, ‘Papa, Mama, I dey go.’ They asked where, saying I had school the next morning. I told them to forget education for now, that I needed to find my way and make them proud.”
The singer said he left home in the middle of the night and made a promise to his parents before walking away.
“The owner of the house came out around 2 a.m. with a bottle of schnapps, praying that such a sad moment would never happen again. As I walked away, I looked back and said, ‘I will not come back here if I fail, but I promise you, I will not fail.’”
Years later, after finding success in music, Shina Peters said he returned home as a changed man.
“In 1972, during my second trip to London with Prince Adekunle, my family came to the airport to welcome me. I went back home with people from the music industry. The house I left, which had 10 rooms, was down to two because the Oshodi canal had taken part of it. Each time I remember that, I push myself harder.”
Reflecting on his journey, he said his faith in God and his passion for music kept him going.
“Sometimes I argue with God, then later apologise. I believe in Him so much. Music is not a joke; if you want to be a legend, you must go the extra mile. What you sing as a young artist should be different from what you sing as an adult. That’s what makes you a true role model,” he said.
