He brings joy to many through his music. He sings, laughs and cuts the picture of one that has no pain.
But Yinka Ayefele, who sings Afro gospel songs secretly lives in pains.
He said he has been living in pains for 20 years.
Yinka Ayefele, who recently celebrated the 20th year of the accident that landed him on the wheelchair, revealed to SUNDAY PUNCH all that happened after the accident.
The musician would not forget in a hurry the jubilation that erupted when he had an erection for the first time after the incident.
“After the accident, everyone jubilated when I had an erection one afternoon. I was wondering why they were rejoicing and they told me the doctors said I would not be able to have an erection again. They had reached the conclusion without my knowledge.”
Now married, did his girlfriend leave him during his trying moments?
“She didn’t leave me when I was hospitalised, so why would she leave me afterwards? When things were bad, she was with me all through. We got married after the accident and we are blessed with four boys.”
Recalling rumours and hearsays about his fertility, Ayefele said, “I can still remember my response to a journalist who wanted to be sure I could impregnate a woman. I told him to bring his sister if he wanted a confirmation. It used to be embarrassing when people questioned my sexual ability.
Even if I am unable to make love to a woman, should that make them happy? Even if my wife and I opted for IVF, is it something they should gloat about?”
What happened on December 12, 1997?
“I was on my way to Abeokuta, but I lost control of the car because it rained heavily that day. The car fell into a deep pit. I was taken to a nearby hospital, but they couldn’t handle my case because I was vomiting blood. I was taken to another hospital where it was discovered that I had a spinal cord injury.
I was then transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, where I stayed for almost a year before I was discharged. Much later, I raised funds and travelled to the United Kingdom, for specialised treatment.”
20 years after, Ayefele still feels pains and said he has decided to stop taking pills because he fears that it may affect his kidney or liver.
“I am still feeling pains; I am always in pain every day. Pills cannot even stop the pains and I am conscious of what I take in, but I thank God I have been able to cope. I give thanks to God for sparing my life.
“I personally thought I would die, but my parents and loved ones encouraged me to stay alive. They felt bad, but they didn’t want to lose me. My father was alive then, but I lost him two years ago. He was so supportive all through the trying times” he said.
Sharing the video and photos of te accident on his Instagram account on December 12, Ayefele wrote:
“20years Today, 12th of December 1997 MY TURNING POINT ……………….
GLORY BE TO GOD ALMIGHTY FOR HIS LOVE AND KINDNESS OVER MY LIFE FROM THE PAST 20 YEARS SINCE I HAD THAT ACCIDENT, IT WAS INDEED “MY TURNING POINT”….. I AM GRATEFUL TO YOU LORD FOR MAKING ME A “LIVING TESTIMONY “….. AND I SINCERELY SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL MY FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR YOUR UNFLINCHING SUPPORT FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS…………. WHERE EVER YOU’RE, PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE GOD ON MY BEHALF……………………
