The death of Nigerian gospel singer Olubunmi Akinnaanu, popularly known as Omije Ojumi, has continued to generate emotional reactions, as close colleagues who stood by her during her prolonged illness have spoken about her final days.
Gospel singer Alayo Melody and fellow artiste Lanre Alewilese shared touching accounts of the late singer’s last moments, while expressing gratitude to Nigerians for the prayers, support and goodwill shown to her before her passing.
Speaking in a video shared on his social media pages on Thursday, January 15, Alayo Melody thanked Nigerians, colleagues, clerics and well-wishers who supported Omije Ojumi throughout her health challenges.
According to him, the singer’s condition deteriorated significantly weeks before her death, leaving her unable to open her eyes or speak.
“But what God has written, no one can change it,” Alayo said in Yoruba, reflecting on her passing.
He expressed special appreciation to Prophet Taiwo Ojo and Prophet Sam Ojo, also known as Baba Authority, for their prayers and support during the singer’s illness.
Alayo disclosed that the clerics facilitated plans to fly Omije Ojumi to India for medical treatment, handling visa applications, flight arrangements and treatment logistics. He said the visa process was attempted three times before it was eventually approved.
However, by the time the necessary documents were ready, doctors reportedly declared the singer unfit to travel due to her deteriorating condition. She was subsequently kept in a Lagos hospital, where she later died.
Also speaking on Thursday, Lanre Alewilese, who was said to have been with Omije Ojumi throughout her final days, explained that he refrained from giving updates on her condition because it continued to worsen rather than improve.
He said that in the weeks leading up to her death, the gospel singer neither opened her eyes nor spoke, describing the experience as deeply painful.
The Nigerian gospel music community was thrown into mourning following Omije Ojumi’s death on Monday, January 12, 2026, at a hospital in Lagos.
