Afro-house singer Niniola Apata, popularly known as Niniola, has released a new single, “Raining (O Dun Mi),” as a tribute to her late husband and manager, Michael Ndika.
The singer unveiled the song on Friday, months after the death of Ndika, who was also her long-time partner and played a significant role in her music career.
Niniola described the song as a deeply personal expression of grief, love, memories and healing following her husband’s death.
In a post on X on Thursday, the singer said the song was inspired by her personal loss but was also intended for others who have experienced bereavement.
“Some songs are made to entertain. Others are born from moments that change us forever. ‘Raining (O Dun Mi)’ is my deeply personal tribute to a man who was not only my life partner, but an important part of my journey and career,” Niniola said.
She added that the song was also for people mourning loved ones.
“But this song is also for everyone who has lost someone they love — for the memories that remain, the empty spaces they leave behind, and the love that never truly goes away. Through music, I honour his memory,” she said.
On Friday, Niniola further dedicated the song to people dealing with grief.
“For everyone who has ever lost someone, this is for you. For every tear we’ve cried, every pain we’ve carried, every memory that still lingers… ‘Raining (O Dun Mi)’ is the melody to it all. It’s raining on us,” she said.
The title ‘O Dun Mi’ is a Yoruba expression conveying deep emotional pain, while the song channels the singer’s grief into a musical tribute to her late husband.
PUNCH Online had reported that Niniola announced Ndika’s death in May 2026 in a series of emotional posts on her Instagram Story.
Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform focused on Afro-house and contemporary African music, before his death.
The couple had been together for 13 years, with Ndika also serving as Niniola’s manager and playing a key role in her career.
With ‘Raining (O Dun Mi),’ Niniola has now turned her personal experience of loss into a tribute aimed at preserving her husband’s memory while connecting with others who have experienced grief.
PUNCH
