Apostle Niyi Peter, a Nigerian clergyman, has shed light on why fellow gospel musicians did not attend the burial of gospel singer Bunmi Akinnanu, popularly known as Omije Ojumi.
According to Apostle Peter in a post via social media, Omije Ojumi had been informed by doctors about the date of her passing and had shared her burial wishes with close friends.
She wanted a ceremony that would be memorable and properly conducted.
Preparations were reportedly made by several gospel artistes, including payment for the coffin, burial site, hall, and over a hundred custom T-shirts for the event.
However, the singer’s family reportedly disagreed with the involvement of the musicians.
Apostle Peter said the family contacted the police and intervened in the arrangements, including asking for Omije Ojumi’s phone from the woman who had stayed with her at the hospital.
The family insisted on managing the burial themselves, and the artistes were prevented from taking part.
The incident prompted Apostle Peter to advise individuals with terminal illnesses to plan their burials legally.
He said that people document their burial wishes, involve legal representatives, and even create a video to ensure their plans are followed.
He said: “Doctors had already told Omije Ojumi the day she would d!e, and she shared her wishes with close friends. Omije told her friends and close associates that a befitting burial must be done for her which the whole world will see.
“The coffin, cemetery, hall and over 100 T‑shirts were paid for. The family then involved the police and said they were not in support of what the artistes were doing.
“They even arrested the lady that stayed with Omije at the hospital and were asking her for Omije’s phone. They didn’t want artistes to be involved in the burial arrangements and we couldn’t force ourselves on them.”
“We wanted to attend the burial but the family threatened to arrest us. If you know you don’t have a good family and you have a terminal sickness, make sure you write down what you wish to be done for your burial, sign it and involve your lawyer. If possible, make a video which will be played after your demise.”
Omije Ojumi’s burial took place at Atan Cemetery in Lagos.
The family has stated that they wanted to handle the arrangements independently and denied claims that they requested money from the gospel musicians.
