In a recent episode of The Nancy Isime Show, BBNaija star Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, shared a personal revelation about her childhood. She disclosed that at the tender age of 3, she began working in her aunt's restaurant where she was residing at the time. Phyna's father had been involved in a severe accident, which led to the decision of sending her to live with his elder sister in Auchi.
Due to these circumstances, Phyna had to temporarily halt her education at JSS3 in order to support her family during this challenging period. She spent two years by her father's side in the hospital, providing him with care and companionship. Phyna opened up about these experiences while appearing on The Nancy Isime Show, alongside her colleague Hermes.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Phyna stated, "Growing up for me wasn't really easy. I actually grew up with my aunt, my dad's elder sister in Auchi. And my aunt sells food, it's a restaurant. Now, imagine a young girl at a restaurant at a very tender age. At 3, I was already in a restaurant serving men."
She further shared how her father's accident impacted her education, saying, "There was a point my dad had an accident, and they needed somebody to be with him at the hospital. I think I just finished my JSS3 then, and I had to go with dad from one hospital to another. That caused me SS1 and 2. On coming back [to school], they said I should go back to SS1, but I was like, no, I will join my mates in SS3. They gave me a series of exams, I wrote, I passed."
Phyna's parents believed that furthering her education would be highly challenging, so they encouraged her to learn a trade. This realization motivated her to hustle and work hard. She took up various part-time jobs, including making meat pie, buns, and hairstyling. Phyna also became her class representative and ventured into hyping during club events.
Even after her stint in the Big Brother House, Phyna's friends noticed her relentless hustling. She explained, "Phyna, the way you are hustling, you are not hustling as if you won money at all." To which she replied, "Money dey finish."
The revelations shared by Phyna highlight the resilience and determination she exhibited from a young age, paving the way for her success in various endeavors.
As a result, Phyna had to temporarily pause her education at JSS3 in order to support her family during this difficult time.
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