By Oyindamola Ruth
Nigerian actress, Mide Martins has reacted to the paternity scandal between veteran Nigeria musician and newly ordained Bishop, Shina Peters and late Nollywood actress, Funmi Martin’s.
The Daily Page recalls that an online platform reported that Shina Peters abandoned a son, whom Late Nollywood actress, Funmi Martins bore for him.
It was learnt that before Funmi Martins passed away in 2002, she welcomed her third child, Damilare, with the juju musician, Shina Peters.
She is also the mother of popular actress, Mide Martins-Abiodun.
A claim by Gistlover1 on Instagram alleged that Actress Mide Martins and the alleged father of the child, Shina Peters abandoned the boy, Damilare Peters, 19.
However, Shina Peters reacted to the claim, saying below:
“I am no longer a kid. How can someone like me abandon a child? What would it cost me? I have lost count of how many kids I have raised in my life. I love children a lot, why will I refuse to take care of Damilare? There is a reason for everything but I have chosen to let go of the past and I will never bring it up again.
“I never said I wouldn’t take care of Damilare and it may interest you to know that I have been in talks with him on the phone and I have arranged to meet with Damilare and his uncle that he lives with soon.
“I assure every well-meaning people that have interfered in this matter that I will not disappoint you. I am a father and I have successfully raised a lot of kids, so Damilare’s case will not be an issue.
“I want to appeal to everybody concerned to not turn this boy into a beggar that money is being contributed for because of his future.
“Why would people have to raise money for him when there is a person that can look after him? I never said I wouldn’t take care of Damilare but there was an issue on ground before that I have said that I wouldn’t talk about and a lot of people are aware of it,” he said.
“Now that people have stepped in, I will meet with him like I promised and talk to him about what he wants to do and where he’d like me to come in. I heard he wants to go into entertainment but he has to complete his education first because all of my children are educated. He has written JAMB once or twice before unsuccessfully, I will make sure he gets another form and by the Grace of God, he will be successful.
“I raised his elder brother and sister, Tunde Martins and Mide Martins so why can’t I raise him as well? I am not a father that neglects his children. I love children, whether they are mine or not. I wouldn’t watch my enemies’ children suffer, not to talk of a child that was linked to me. A lot has happened in the past but I don’t need to go back to that because of the future of the child,” he said.
On the other hand, Mide Martins shared her own side of the story.
“Hello Everyone! My name is MIDE MARTINS. I’ll like to tell little part of my own side of the story.
Firstly, I want to say thank you to everyone who has contributed greatly to the ongoing issue and also apologize sincerely to everyone that I might have hurt or disappointed in anyway I am deeply sorry from the depth of my heart.
I didn’t want to say anything about this all the while because I believe it’s a family issue which should rather be settled amicably between ourselves rather than being dragged on social media.
Anyone who knows me very well would know that I am a private person I personally do not really like sharing or celebrating on social media some things relating to my family like the annual remembrance ceremony of my late mother Funmi Martins which I duly observe every year in honor of her memory.
When my mum late Funmi Martins passed away 19yrs ago my whole world was shattered, devastated, crumbled, broken, lonely without anyone’s support.
How I managed to survive through the storm is only by the special grace of God.
Damilare was living with my grandma back then in abeokuta and I was doing all that I could to take care of him until few years ago when she also passed on and damilare was taken away to live with my uncle.
I had requested custody of my brother damilare several times even before grandma died but was denied. Damilare is my blood brother It is not possible for me to neglect him but there’s much more to this story than you all know which I’m sorry I will not go into details because it’s a family matter.
I am not a heartless person despite the fact that I don’t have it all the little I have I give wholeheartedly. However, I just want to ask for a favor!! Can Damilare be finally released to me? Can I have my brother Damilare? I promise to take good care of him in my own little way may God help me so. Thank you everyone!! God bless every family out there!!!”.
