The late gospel artist, Toluwanisings...Photo Credit: IG/ Toluwanisings
Sabitiyu Olayemi, the grandmother of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has alleged that he neglected her for years before his death, claiming that he stopped sending her money after occasionally giving her financial assistance.
In an interview in Osun with journalist Dunmininu, uploaded on social media on Monday, the grandmother said she had helped care for the singer and his mother before he moved to Lagos but had not seen him for more than five years.
“We have been taking care of Sodiq (Toluwanisings) and his mother even before he went to Lagos. He attended Arabic schools. When he was in grammar school, I would visit him,” she said.
She said she knew her grandson was a musician but was unaware that he had built a house or held a housewarming ceremony.
“I just knew he is a musician. I am not aware he built a house; I was not aware of a housewarming. Even if I want to call him, they will say I shouldn’t. It has been over five years I set my eyes on him,” she said.
The grandmother recalled that the singer once visited her with his wife and first child but alleged that he rarely supported her financially afterwards.
She said she once asked someone in the village to help her call him because she wanted to speak with him.
“So I called and told him it was me. He responded, ‘Ahh, Mummy.’ I told him that you cannot even check up on me. He said it is work that has been a hindrance,” she recounted.
According to her, the singer sent her ₦10,000 on about three occasions after the conversation but did not send her money again.
She also alleged that when her mobile phone was damaged and she asked the singer’s elder sibling to help her contact him for a replacement, the sibling told her not to call him.
Asked whether the singer sent her medication or money for medical expenses because of her age, she replied, “There is nothing Sodiq (Toluwanisings) sends to me.”
Despite the alleged neglect, the grandmother said she was deeply affected by his death.
“When I heard he is dead, I felt so bad, even though I did not benefit, he is still my child. I know he is still an achievement. I cannot see Sodiq. I have accepted my fate. I wish God had taken me, so I won’t see this evil,” she said.
She also opposed burying the singer in a cemetery, insisting that he should be buried at his house.
“I do not agree that Toluwanisings should be buried in a cemetery. It is at his house that they should bury him. They should not come and bury him close to his mother,” she said.
She insisted that his remains should be buried at the house, adding, “It is not possible; they have to bury him there.”
Toluwanisings’ death has sparked disagreement among family members over his burial arrangements. His father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, had said he wanted his son buried in the house he built or beside his late mother in Osun State.
The father also disputed reports that the singer was 44 when he died, saying he was 34. Meanwhile, a man who identified himself as the singer’s uncle, Lawal Ademola, has called for an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death