What he feared most affected him, Woli Agba speaks on ToluwaniSings’ death

Nigerian comedian Ayo Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, has reacted to the death of gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, aka ToluwaniSings, recalling his concerns about Nigeria’s unreliable healthcare system.

In a post on Instagram following the singer’s death, Woli Agba said the healthcare challenges ToluwaniSings had repeatedly expressed concern about eventually affected him.

He stated that ToluwaniSings had considered travelling abroad because of concerns about the state of healthcare in Nigeria.

“What he feared most and talked about repeatedly was what eventually affected him. He said many times, if not for anything, he’ll consider going abroad just because of Nigeria’s unreliable healthcare system.”

The reaction comes amid revelations that efforts to secure medical attention for ToluwaniSings failed after he suddenly slumped in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Babadunni Olayemi, the late singer’s personal assistant, disclosed that those around him took him to between seven and eight hospitals in an attempt to save his life, but the efforts proved unsuccessful.

According to Babadunni, the singer had appeared healthy before the incident, leaving those present scrambling to revive him and find medical assistance.

Speaking about the circumstances surrounding the death on Thursday, Babadunni said he was away when the incident occurred but rushed to the scene after receiving a call.

“I am Babadunni Gbolabo. I am the PA to ToluwaniSings. When it happened in the morning, I wasn’t here, so they called me and I came,” he said.

He said the hospitals gave different reasons for their inability or unwillingness to treat the singer, with some citing an ongoing strike and the absence of doctors.

“There was nothing wrong with him. He was very fine and in perfect condition. He just slumped. They tried to resuscitate him. They went helter-skelter. They took him to some hospitals, but they were giving excuses.

“Some said doctors were not working because of the strike. Some did not admit him at all. That is how it went. We tried our best, including prayers. We took him to up to seven to eight hospitals in Ibadan, but God said his time was up,” Babadunni said.

ToluwaniSings died on Wednesday, a day after reportedly performing at a worship event.

His body has since been deposited at a mortuary, while his family begins consultations on funeral arrangements.

Babadunni said the family would decide on the next steps after meeting and agreeing on how to proceed.

“The family members are here. So, we are all just managing the situation, as the body is currently at the mortuary. Once the family members hold their meeting and are clear on things, that is when we will know the next step to take.

“But they haven’t done the necessary things. Whatever they conclude upon arrival, that is what we will execute,” he said.

The late singer was known for gospel songs including A Very Big God and Onibuore.