Lanre Alewilese, the Nigerian gospel singer, has revealed that the family of the late artiste Toluwanisings has resolved to lay him to rest at his Ibadan residence.
Toluwanisings passed away on October 14, and since then, his burial arrangements have stirred controversy. His paternal relatives had pushed for a delay in interment while the circumstances surrounding his death were investigated.
The family alleged that Akanbi Elizabeth, the singer’s widow, wanted him buried in a cemetery, a plan they rejected outright.
Lawal Rauf, the singer’s uncle, said the family had agreed that his body should be taken to Ikirun, Osun state, and buried beside his mother.
He warnedthat they would dig up the remains should he be interred in a cemetery, stating he was speaking on behalf of the entire family. The singer’s grandmother also threatened to place a curse on anyone who buried him in a cemetery.
In a now-viral video,Alewilese attributed the dispute to a “misunderstanding” arising from advice offered to the grieving family and the widow, counsel he suggested may have sown confusion about the final resting place.
He noted that because Toluwanisings’ death was sudden, differing views on his burial were inevitable, and stressed that no one could confirm she personally opposed burying him at home.
Alewilese said both sides have now agreed that the singer will be buried at his home, and he appealed to the public to stop attacking the widow, describing her as “a good person” who deserves space to mourn.
“Damilola is a good woman, and her husband always called her his peace of mind, even before they got married. Let peace reign. It would have been easy for Toluwanisings to declare where he wanted to be buried before his death if he had been sick. But because his death was sudden, everyone will have an opinion to share with the wife, which might leave her confused,” he said.
“This might also be what is happening on the father’s side, so all these are misunderstandings. Nobody can say they heard the claim that the singer should not be buried in his home directly from his wife.
“It is a misunderstanding between them. Now they have reached an agreement; he will be buried in his home. Please, let peace reign. Leave the wife alone to have a peaceful life. The criticism is enough. Damilola is a good person and an accommodating person.” Cable
