TOLUWANISINGS’ GRANDMOTHER ALLEGES YEARS OF NEGLECT BEFORE HIS DEATH
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
The grandmother of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, Sabitiyu Olayemi, has alleged that the singer neglected her for years before his death, claiming that he stopped providing financial support after sending her money on a few occasions.
Olayemi made the allegation during an interview with journalist Dunmininu in Osun State. The interview was shared on social media on Monday.
She said she helped care for the singer and his mother before he relocated to Lagos, adding that she had not seen her grandson 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.
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The grandmother said she knew her grandson was a musician but was unaware that he had built a house or organised 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.
She recalled that the singer once visited her with his wife and first child but alleged that he rarely offered her financial assistance afterwards.
According to her, she once asked someone in her community to help her contact the singer because she wanted to speak with him.
Recounting their conversation, she said she identified herself when the call connected and complained that he no longer checked on her.
“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.
Olayemi claimed that her grandson subsequently sent her ₦10,000 on about three occasions but stopped sending money afterwards.
She further alleged that when her mobile phone became damaged, she asked the singer’s elder sibling to help her contact him for a replacement but was told not to call him.
Asked whether the singer provided medication or money for medical expenses in consideration of her age, she replied, “There is nothing Sodiq (Toluwanisings) sends to me.”
Despite her claims of neglect, the grandmother said she was deeply saddened by his death, stressing that their family relationship remained important to her.
“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.
The grandmother also opposed plans to bury the singer in a cemetery, insisting that his remains should be laid to rest at the house he built.
“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 maintained that the family should honour her wish for him to be buried at his residence, adding, “It is not possible; they have to bury him there.”
The singer’s death has reportedly triggered disagreements among family members over his burial arrangements.
His father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, had earlier expressed a preference for his son to be buried either at the house he built or beside his late mother in Osun State.
The father also disputed reports that the singer was 44 years old at the time of his death, insisting that 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.
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