Nigerian singer and songwriter, Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus aka Joeboy has recounted some of the early challenges he encountered before the rise to stardom.

While disclosing that fame comes with a sense of fulfilment and respect, Joeboy bemoaned that there was a time he once trekked across the Lagos metropolis in desperate search for job.

In a chat with media personality and Journalist, Chude Jideonwo, the singer narrated how he got embarrassed for owing school fees in his secondary school days and how that affected his self-esteem.

He also recollected that he once had just one shoe, which came with a fake designer tag.

A saddened Joeboy claimed that it was what made him vow to always buy shoes whenever he became successful.

“Sometimes I felt everything should just end because it was difficult.

“I remember after secondary school, I didn’t have money, I was looking for a job. I remember going for a full month looking for a job.

“I would prepare my CV. There was a time I trekked from Ilaje to Sabo in search of a job with my friend. We submitted our CVs but didn’t get the jobs eventually.

“I eventually got a job to promote products for a company under the sun. They took us to redeem camp in Ogun state, it was difficult. We were paid N5000 a week.

“At that point, life was hard, I remember I only had one Nike shoe and it was fake. So, one promise I made to myself was that when I finally blow, I’ll always buy shoes.

“So, these days, when I’m down, I just step out to buy shoes. Life was more difficult than failing an exam or owing school fees.

“There was a particular time this happened to me. I’ll just say when a child is owing school fees, don’t call the child out. Just tell the child not to go to school.

“Don’t flog kids for owing school fees, the child doesn’t have money. School owners should not embarrass a child for owing school fees.

“It was really embarrassing for me at the time because it affected my esteem at that point.”