 |
| Image: Facebook |
The final burial rites of late Nigerian gospel singer Bunmi Akinnaanu, widely known by her stage name Omije Ojumi, were held in Lagos amid emotional moments and reported family disagreements that briefly overshadowed the solemn occasion.
Akinnaanu passed away on January 12 after struggling with a serious leg ailment that had affected her health for months. Before her death, the singer had frequently appealed to the public for prayers, openly sharing her faith and hope for divine healing. Her situation attracted sympathy and support from fans, fellow gospel artistes, and members of the Christian community who followed her journey closely.
To honour her life and musical ministry, a service of songs was organised on Wednesday, drawing family members, friends, church leaders, and colleagues from the gospel music scene. Tributes highlighted her dedication to spreading the gospel through music and her resilience despite personal challenges.
Her burial took place the following day at the Atan Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos. The graveside ceremony was calm and reflective, marked by hymns, prayers, and scriptural exhortations led by clergymen. Mourners paid their final respects as relatives performed the customary rite of casting sand onto her coffin, bidding farewell to the late singer.
Despite the generally solemn atmosphere, tensions reportedly flared during the interment, leading to scenes that later circulated widely on social media. Videos shared online captured a disagreement involving Bunmi Akinnaanu’s son and a member of her estranged husband’s family, drawing renewed attention to unresolved family issues surrounding the singer’s passing.
According to reports, the situation escalated when a relative of the estranged husband attempted to communicate with the children via a video call, despite not being physically present at the burial. In one widely shared clip, a family member is heard trying to persuade the boy to engage with his paternal family, saying, “He’s your family and he loves you. We want to show our love to you. Your father loves you.”
The young boy, visibly upset, responded sharply, declaring, “I am not!” His reaction underscored the emotional strain surrounding the interaction and appeared to intensify the already tense moment at the graveside.
Another video from the burial showed Bunmi’s estranged husband attempting to speak with their daughter over the phone. In the footage, the girl appeared distant and uninterested, offering little response during the call, which further highlighted the fragile family dynamics at play.
The controversy at the burial followed earlier reports of disagreements over funeral arrangements. Days before the interment, cleric Segun Arole revealed that disputes had emerged between Bunmi Akinnaanu’s family and some gospel artistes regarding how her burial should be conducted.
Initially, a detailed burial programme had been announced by gospel singer Alayo Melody, outlining a multi-day series of events to celebrate the late singer’s life and contributions to gospel music. However, the plans were abruptly withdrawn without a public explanation, sparking speculation within the gospel community and among fans.
Addressing the sudden change, fellow gospel artiste Lanre Alewilese later clarified that the original burial arrangements were cancelled due to what he described as an “internal crisis” within the Akinnaanu family. His statement suggested that disagreements among relatives made it difficult to proceed with the earlier plans as announced.
Despite the challenges and emotional scenes, many attendees described the burial as a heartfelt farewell to a woman remembered for her passion for worship and unwavering faith. Tributes continued to pour in online following the burial, with admirers celebrating Bunmi Akinnaanu’s legacy and praying for comfort for her children and loved ones.
As discussions around the burial continue, supporters have called for understanding and compassion, urging the public to respect the family’s privacy during a deeply painful period. For many, the focus remains on honouring Omije Ojumi’s life, her music, and the spiritual impact she left behind within Nigeria’s gospel music community.
Watch videos below…
#NollywoodTimes
#BunmiAkinnanu
#TrendingNow
No comments:
Post a Comment