The widow of late Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, Akanbi Elizabeth, broke down in tears while paying tribute to her husband in Ibadan, Oyo State.
At the event, held on Tuesday at Jogor Centre, the widow struggled to deliver her tribute before breaking down in tears.
“Toluwanisings, my dear husband. I will forever miss you. Please do not forget your children and I,” she said.
Several gospel artistes attended the event, including Esther Igbekele, Laolu Gbenjo, Akintayo Akinwande and SB Live.
Bidemi Olaoba, Mr Gbera, Peterson Okopi, Sarah Apekeola and Bimbo Oshin were also among those present.
A video shared on social media showed the widow crying on stage after she was asked to say a few words about her late husband during the night of tributes.
In another video shared by TVC News, the widow was quoted as saying, “Iwill forever miss you. Don’t forget the children and I,” as she wept.
Although the singer’s burial arrangements were not publicly announced, his burial was reportedly scheduled for Wednesday.
Toluwanisings, known for his hit song ‘A Very Big God’, died on October 14. The cause of his death has not been established.
His paternal uncle, Lawal Ademola Rauf, had earlier called for the burial to be postponed pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
“We need people to intervene because Toluwanisings’ death is hurting us. We are calling on everyone, including the government and religious leaders, to help us investigate what killed him. We, the Olayemi family, are pleading to know the cause of his death and asking the government to help us pursue the matter legally,” he had said.
“Nobody should decide to bury him for now because we are still grieving, and the family has decided not to bury him yet. We are ready to pay the mortuary fees for as long as necessary. When we are ready, we want him to be buried at his home in Ibadan.”
Babadunni Gbolabo, the singer’s personal assistant, also recounted the circumstances surrounding his final moments.
He said Toluwanisings was “fine and in perfect condition” before he suddenly slumped.
According to Gbolabo, efforts were made to resuscitate the singer, who was taken to eight hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State, but none admitted him, citing various reasons.