Veteran Singer Sir Shina Peters Addresses Cleric's Controversial Comparison
Renowned Nigerian musician Sir Shina Peters has issued a formal response to a viral video featuring clergyman Matthew Ashimolowo, who drew a stark comparison between the singer's life achievements and those of Zenith Bank Managing Director Jim Ovia. The video, which has sparked widespread discussion on social media, centered on the theme of delayed gratification in personal and financial growth.
The Viral Sermon and Its Contentious Remarks
In the widely circulated clip, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo was addressing his congregation on the importance of postponing immediate pleasures for long-term success. During his sermon, he referenced an anecdote from years past, claiming that both Sir Shina Peters and Jim Ovia once possessed twenty million naira each.
According to Ashimolowo, Shina Peters utilized his funds to purchase a residential property, while Jim Ovia invested his capital to establish Zenith Bank. The clergyman elaborated that the bank has since expanded globally, with branches appearing across numerous African nations. In contrast, he suggested that Shina Peters is now occupied with mundane household repairs, such as fixing leaking roofs, broken toilets, and malfunctioning doors.
"Shina Peters, N20 million, he built a house....Jim Ovia N20 million, started a bank....One man is now fixing leaking roofs, broken toilets, door when nor dey shot anymore...and the other one, every country I go to in Africa, I see a branch...I was in Ghana, Zenith everywhere. I was in ten African countries, Zenith everywhere," Ashimolowo stated emphatically. He concluded his message by urging listeners to "delay your gratification and God will lift you up."
Defense from a Fellow Music Icon
The video prompted a reaction from another veteran Nigerian artist, Daddy Showkey, who came to Shina Peters' defense via his Instagram platform. Daddy Showkey challenged the cleric's narrative, asserting that Shina Peters' journey to success is commendable given the challenges he has overcome.
"No, this is wrong. For Sir Shina's angle, he is successful, very successful. From where Sir Shina Peters dey come from, the way when him grow, the things when him go through come still rise up again, come still reach where him reach, e nor easy," Daddy Showkey remarked. He further criticized the entertainment industry's treatment of musicians, highlighting issues like music piracy and lack of royalty payments, which often lead to public mockery of artists' careers.
Daddy Showkey added, "For a society wey una go pirate their music, una nor go pay them their royalty, una go take them dey do mockery.....Today, you go see comedian wan do comedy, na musician e go take do comedy...you go say the musicians dem fail for life...you go dey tell them say 'that year'...One day your turn go come...who go reign forever? Nobody ooo!!!"
Sir Shina Peters' Graceful and Measured Response
In a statement released on his Instagram Stories, Sir Shina Peters addressed the controversy directly. He declared that he would not engage in a public dispute with Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo over the comparative and degrading comments made in the video. The singer emphasized his decision to refrain from speaking negatively about the clergyman or pursuing any legal actions against him.
The veteran artist explained his stance by revealing that he, too, is a clergyman, which grants him a deeper understanding and compels him to act with wisdom and restraint. By choosing a path of non-confrontation, Shina Peters demonstrates a commitment to his spiritual principles and avoids escalating the situation into a larger conflict.
This incident has ignited conversations about success metrics, the value of different life choices, and the respect owed to veteran artists in Nigeria's cultural landscape. It underscores the ongoing challenges faced by musicians in terms of financial sustainability and public perception, while also highlighting the importance of dignified responses in the face of criticism.
