“Bury my son in his house, not cemetery” – Toluwanisings’ father insists

Muniru Olayemi, father of late gospel singer Bayonle Bolaji Olayemi, popularly called Toluwanisings, has said he wants his son buried in his house and not in a cemetery, Peoples Gazette reports.

Mr Olayemi, who spoke in an interview with Dumininu, also acknowledged the role his 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 said.

He said the singer’s real name was Sodiq Olayemi Bayonle, and that his mother died in 1992, six months after his birth.

“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,” he added.

According to him, the singer’s elder sister, with whom he lived, paid his school fees and bought him a bicycle when he was about to start school.

Mr Olayemi said he had no issue with his son’s conversion to Christianity, noting that his family has both Christians and Muslims.

“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,” he said.

He added that the late singer attended Yaba College of Technology after secondary school and met his wife at a church in Lagos, where he sang in the choir.

Toluwanisings died last week. The cause of death was not stated, but he reportedly slumped at his residence and was confirmed dead at a hospital.

Colleagues have announced a night of tributes in his honour.