Veteran Nigerian musician Innocent Onyebuchi, widely known as Daddy Fresh, has publicly appealed for assistance as he grapples with severe health issues that have left him bedridden for more than two years.
The situation came into the spotlight after Nollywood actor and filmmaker Kunle Afod visited the ailing musician in the hospital. Afod shared a poignant video of their encounter on Facebook, showing Daddy Fresh in a frail state and struggling to recognize his visitor.
Moved by the singer’s condition, Afod wrote, “Daddy Fresh must not die – one of Nigeria’s finest artists is in a terrible condition.”
In the video, the reggae and hip-hop star appeared weak, dressed in a blue sleeveless top. On seeing Afod, he murmured, “Oba.” The actor responded, “It’s Afod, Kunle Afod.”
Daddy Fresh expressed his surprise, saying, “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… Afod, abi na you God send come?”
A Harrowing Health Battle
The singer revealed he has been struggling with multiple ailments, including kidney and liver complications, neuropathy, and severe eye problems that have rendered him nearly immobile.
“I started hallucinating, seeing people, those I know and those I don’t. I talk directly to them, but other people no dey see them. This one don too much o,” he said.
He also explained that one of his eyes no longer functions even after surgery:
“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.”
Doctors have advised urgent blood transfusions, which Daddy Fresh says he cannot afford.
“Now, I need blood transfusion. I need to buy some pints of blood. They said they need that one immediately, like two or three packs of blood because my blood dey very low, 25%,” he revealed.
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Standing or walking without assistance has become impossible for him:
“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 that is learning how to walk,” he said.
Struggling Financially Amid Health Crisis
Adding to his distress, Daddy Fresh disclosed he is facing eviction.
“Madam? Madam ke? Them don waka their waka o. I have a few days in my house because of the rent. I have to move on to where I don’t know. Them don give me quit notice. Shebi na who dey okay go know where he go sell one or two things to use pay but I no sabi do am but I wan close eye sell, even if na my television,” he lamented.
The musician also hinted at possible spiritual factors in his prolonged suffering:
“They just want to kill themselves, not me. The enemies are waiting to hear how far. All the while that I haven’t cried out to the public, they are confused, thinking if what they did has not worked,” he said.
Despite his struggles, Daddy Fresh found hope in Afod’s visit:
“For me to see people wey I no expect to see like you, e don happen,” he said.
Afod, who offered financial support, urged Nigerians and the entertainment community to assist the music legend.
“This is Daddy Fresh. If you know him, you will know what I am talking about. Very handsome. Lovely voice. This man was a fantastic music artist. He has been down with sickness for over three years. I just heard about it and decided to go see him in the hospital. I am here to solicit and beg the world, beg Nigeria as a whole, and beg the entertainment industry as a whole. Daddy Fresh is not a name that we can say we cannot remember in the entertainment industry in Nigeria. We need your support. Entertainers, please, let’s keep him alive,” he said.
This is not the first time Daddy Fresh has shared his ordeal. In February 2024, he disclosed that he had suffered a partial stroke for nearly 30 months. At the time, he expressed, “Each time an unexpected call or message comes through my phone, there’s this relief I get knowing that someone out there remembers me and wishes me well. Just ‘hello, how are you doing?’ goes a long way to cushion the effect of deep and severe pain. I pray and trust God that this phase will come and go, and I will bounce back better.”