Lanre Gentry, hotelier and the ex-husband of Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe, has taken to social media to wish their son, Juwon, a happy birthday.
Lanre first jointly shared a post initiated by a blog, Nigerian Celebrities Birthdays, featuring Mercy and Juwon posing for the camera.
However, in an Instagram page, Gentry on Tuesday alleged his son’s mother has been trying to separate them.
He also noted that he was happy that the boy was growing to understand he (Lanre) was his father.
He then assured the boy that he could come to him to ask for anything without waiting for his mother to do so on his behalf.
“Happy birthday to my dear son Olajuwon Gentry, no matter how your mother try to take you away from me, I still remain your father and am happy you are growing up to understand that I remain your father and to come back to me to ask for anything without your mother asking by herself. I cherish you, my son, a long life to you and me as your father,” he wrote.
The post attracted controversy as some netizens question his motive.
Hefedorlarpor Khemmy wrote, “Is this necessary? l tot you are just meant to celebrate your son and leave the mother out of this? am sure your son will not be happy seeing this because internet don’t forget.”
Oyindamola wrote partly in Yoruba, “Gbogbo eleyi o necessary.”
Olusuyi Olajumoke defended Gentry, saying, “Y’all should leave this man alone none of you know what he’s facing or going through, let him breath stop suffocating him, that’s his son and he has right to spill anything disturbing his mind no one is an island.”
In 2014, Gentry tied the knot with Mercy, an actress. Their marriage, which produced two children — Juwon and Michelle — however, ended in 2017 over allegations of domestic violence.
Mercy is now married to movie producer Kazim Adeoti while Gentry is with Oluwabusayo.
