The father of late gospel musician ToluwaniSings, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, has appealed to his son’s widow to allow him to bury the singer at home, amid a disagreement over the burial arrangements.
ToluwaniSings, whose real name was Sodiq Olayemi Bayonle, died on October 14, 2026, aged 34. His death has sparked a dispute between his father and wife over where he should rest.
Speaking in a recent interview, Olayemi said he approached his son’s wife after learning about his death online and asked her to permit a home burial. However, she reportedly rejected the request and insisted on a cemetery burial. The grieving father said burying his son at home would bring him happiness, adding that the family could organise prayers at the residence rather than bury him in a church or public cemetery.
“I don’t want him buried in a church or cemetery. I want him buried in his house and that will make me happy,” he said.
Reports also indicate that Olayemi wants to bury his son in his residence in Ibadan or the family compound. He reportedly suggested burying him beside his late mother in Osun State as another option.
However, the singer’s widow reportedly expressed concerns about living in a house where her husband lies buried, contributing to the disagreement between both parties.
Olayemi also recounted his son’s early childhood, explaining that Toluwani went to live with his maternal relatives after his mother died in 1992, a few months after his birth.
According to him, his late wife’s family asked him to leave the baby with them after he returned her body from Kano. The family reportedly wanted to care for the child while coping with their loss.
He said his son’s maternal relatives raised him in a Christian environment, although he retained his Muslim name, Sodiq Olayemi Bayonle.
Olayemi maintained that he kept in touch with his son and that his family supported the singer’s education.
He has now appealed to his son’s widow and other family members involved in the arrangements to consider his wishes as they decide where to lay the late musician to rest.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
