Don’t forget your children and I, Toluwanisings’ wife mourns late singer

Akanbi Elizabeth, the widow of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, broke down in tears while paying tribute to her husband at a memorial event in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a video from the event held at Jogor Centre on Tuesday, the widow struggled to complete her tribute before becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

“Toluwanisings, my dear husband. I will forever miss you. Please do not forget your children and I,” she said.

Several gospel artistes attended the tribute night, including Adeyinka Alaseyori, Esther Igbekele, Laolu Gbenjo, Akintayo Akinwande, SB Live, Bidemi Olaoba, Mr Gbera, Peterson Okopi and Sarah Apekeola.

Actress Bimbo Oshin was also among the celebrities present.

Following the singer’s death, his personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, alleged that efforts to obtain emergency medical treatment for him took him to several hospitals in Ibadan.

According to the account, the singer was taken to between seven and eight hospitals after he reportedly slumped, but those around him struggled to secure the medical attention he needed.

The allegations generated public concern about access to emergency medical care and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Another controversy emerged after the singer’s father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, spoke publicly about a reported disagreement with his daughter-in-law over where his son should be buried.

Olayemi said he wanted the singer buried in the house he built or taken to Ikirun, Osun State, where his late mother was buried.

According to his account, he contacted the widow after learning of his son’s death to discuss the burial arrangements. He said she preferred a cemetery or church burial ground, while he wanted his son buried at home.

The father claimed that the widow was uncomfortable with the prospect of living in a house where her husband was buried.

He subsequently proposed that the singer’s remains be taken to Ikirun and buried beside his mother.

The widow’s account of the disagreement has not been included in the reports reviewed. Her reasons for reportedly opposing a home burial have therefore not been independently established.

A man who identified himself as the singer’s paternal uncle, Lawal Ademola, also spoke about the disagreement, saying the family wanted Toluwanisings buried at his residence in Ibadan.

The dispute has drawn mixed reactions on social media, with some users questioning the idea of burying a person in a residential property, while others have supported the family’s wish to have the singer buried at home.

The disagreement over the burial has unfolded alongside calls from the singer’s paternal family for an investigation into his death.

In an interview with media personality Dunmininu, published on social media, Ademola appealed to the government, community leaders and law enforcement authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death were investigated.

“Please help us, our elders, as we seek a proper investigation into the death of Sodiq. You who are the government, our leaders, and the law, please enforce the law and empower the investigation so that there won’t be biased judgments or victimisation.

“Nobody should interfere or try to cover things up regarding Sodiq, because this has deeply affected us,” he said.

The uncle also called for the planned burial to be suspended until the circumstances surrounding the death were established.

The family’s position has added another dimension to the dispute, with the singer’s relatives seeking answers about his death while disagreeing with the reported burial arrangements.

The singer’s grandmother, Sabitiyu Olayemi, had separately alleged that he neglected her for years, claims that added to the family issues that emerged following his death.

Samuel Omotere is an experienced journalist covering human interest stories, pop culture, and digital trends. He combines his background as a language graduate with a focus on sustainable digital storytelling.

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