By Cynthia Johnson
Ijeoma Josephina Otabor popularly known as Phyna, who is the winner of the 2022 Big Brother Naija “Level Up” edition, has reportedly abandoned her parents after winning the N100 million grand prize.
According to the father of the reality TV star from Edo state, Mr. Felix Otabor, Phyna has not returned home or contacted her parents since winning the show.
Speaking to newsmen, heartbroken Otabor said he was proud of his daughter when she won BBNaija, hoping that she would use the prize money to help her family. However, Phyna has instead chosen to ignore her parents and live a lavish lifestyle, and this has affected his job.
“I haven’t seen Phyna, my daughter since she won BBNaija ‘Level Up’ edition last year. She hasn’t returned home since then. I don’t know why. I am a professional hearse driver, and when she won the reality TV show, she asked me to do away with all my old cars, promising to change my life but since then, I haven’t seen her. And I don’t have a car again. Once in a while, the Vice-Chairman of our association will allow me to drive his own car.
“I sold all my four cars because at the time, my daughter won the show. I thought that God had finally answered our prayers. I called her on the telephone, and she said God has blessed us.
“She asked me to do away with all my old cars, or she would give them out to Aboki, any day she returned. So, instead of allowing her to dash out my cars to scavengers, I decided to sell them as scraps and used the proceeds to renovate my house. And that was the beginning of my suffering.
“I stopped doing my business because I had no car again. And my neighbours thought I was either stingy or pretending as if my daughter just won a N100 million grand prize. I was the Vice-Chairman of our association, but when I couldn’t show up at our station for some time, they replaced me with another person.
“From that moment, things started getting tough for me. I am even looking for somebody that will give me a car on hire purchase.”
Quest Times learned that Otabor had tried to contact Phyna on multiple occasions, but she has refused to answer his calls or texts, as he only sees her on social media.
“I only see her on Facebook or Instagram whenever she shares new photos on these platforms.”
He is now appealing to the public for help in locating his daughter and convincing her to reconcile with her family.
“I need help, it has come to that point/. I don’t want to die in silence,” he concluded.