Legendary Afro Juju singer, Sir Shina Peters has reacted after a video of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo comparing his life progress with that of Zenith Bank founder Jim Ovia went viral online.
In the clip now making the round on social media, Pastor Ashimolowo addressed his congregation about the importance of delayed gratification, using Shina Peters and Jim Ovia as examples.
“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. I am speaking into somebody’s life now, delay your gratification and God will lift you up,” Ashimolowo said.
But in a statement on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Shina Peters said he would not escalate the issue or take legal action. He noted that, as a clergyman himself, he prefers not to speak ill of the pastor.
“The way I see it God has really blessed me beyond words, you can’t even begin to imagine the blessings of God upon my life all these decades. People close to me know what I am talking about,” Sir Shina Peters said.
The remark has sparked different reactions from fans and fellow entertainers.
Singer Daddy Showkey in his reaction defended Sir Shina Peters on Instagram, highlighting the challenges musicians face and stressing that success should not be measured solely by financial comparison.
“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. For a society wey una go pirate their music, una nor go pay them their royalty… One day your turn go come… who go reign forever? Nobody ooo!!!” Daddy Showkey wrote.
Shina Peters, who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s, was previously a member of Prince Adekunle’s band before forming his own group. He has spoken in past interviews about the effort it took to rebuild his public image after leaving the band.