Muniru Olayemi, father of the late gospel singer, Bayonle Bolaji Olayemi, fondly called Toluwanisings, has said he wanted the late singer buried in his (deceased’s) house and not a cemetery.
Mr Olayemi also acknowledged the role his late son played in his life.
“He tried for me as a father. In fact, I came back home from Kano because of him. That’s why I want him buried in his house, not cemetery or church. I’ll be happy that way,” he added.
He also said that the deceased’s mother died six months after his birth.
Mr Olayemi spoke during an interview with Dumininu reviewed by the Peoples Gazette on Sunday.
“The real name given to him was Sodiq Olayemi Bayonle. His mum died in 1992 when he was six months old. We brought his mum’s remains home from Kano,” Mr Olayemi said.
Noting that the late singer lived with his mother’s family following her death, Mr Olayemi added, “His mum’s family asked us to leave my son with them so that they can be comforted. I am from Ikirun while his mum was from Agba. So Bayonle lived there.”
According to him, when the deceased was about to go to school, his elder sister, with whom Toluwanisings lived, tried so much for him by paying his school fees and getting him a bicycle.
He added, “He was a Muslim before he moved to his mum’s family, a Christian family. My family tried so hard to take custody of him. He was taken to Lagos despite our attempt to have him. Throughout his secondary school, my elder sister tried. She was there for him.”
Mr Olayemi further noted that he had no issues with the late singer’s decision to become Christian, saying his family is composed of Christians and Muslims.
He added that the late studied at Yaba College of Technology after he completed his secondary school, adding that he met his wife at a church he attended in Lagos.
He added, “He became Toluwanisings when he started gospel singing. I was happy that he became a Christian because there are Christians and Muslims in our family.
“When he finished secondary school, he went to Yaba Polytechnic. After some time, he told me he wanted to get married. He was a choir at his church. He performed there. It’s at the church that he met a female singer and they started talking about marriage.”
Toluwanisings died last week. While the cause of his death was not stated, it was gathered that he slumped in his residence and was rushed to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
Colleagues, fans, and well-wishers expressed shock at the singer’s death, praising him for his incredible life and impact.
Days ago, his colleagues announced a night of tributes in honour of him, adding the event will feature a night of love, reflection, heartfelt tributes and thanksgiving to God for the life the deceased lived.