Veteran Waka singer Salawa Abeni has recounted how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assisted her when she was battling serious health and financial difficulties.
The singer spoke about the experience during her celebration marking five decades of performing, where she reflected on some of the most challenging moments of her career.
Abeni said her troubles intensified following the death of her child, an experience that affected her health so severely that she became unable to walk properly or continue working.
As her condition worsened and she struggled to get adequate assistance, the singer said she decided to approach Tinubu, who was a prominent political figure in Lagos at the time.
She recalled visiting his residence on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, Lagos, where she waited to see him.
According to Abeni, Tinubu initially failed to recognise her when he eventually met her because her illness had drastically changed her physical appearance.
After seeing her condition, she said he immediately contacted the then Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, and requested that arrangements be made for her to travel to Dubai for medical treatment the following week.
Abeni said she later travelled to Dubai under arrangements facilitated by the Lagos State Government. She credited the treatment with helping her regain her health and eventually resume her music career.
The singer also expressed appreciation to Lagos transport union leader MC Oluomo for supporting her during difficult financial periods.
She recalled that while she was living in Magodo, she sometimes went without performances and struggled to meet her needs. According to her, MC Oluomo consistently responded whenever she reached out to him for assistance.
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Abeni publicly acknowledged his support during her anniversary performance and thanked him for attending the celebration and remaining supportive throughout the years.
Her testimony adds to other accounts from entertainers about assistance they said they received from Tinubu.
Nollywood veteran Yinka Quadri previously claimed that Tinubu donated $25,000 to help facilitate the return of the remains of late actress Moji Olaiya from abroad, after her colleagues had initially sought $15,000 for the repatriation process.