One of Nigeria’s foremost gospel ministers, Dr. Bola Are, has described the late gospel singer and evangelist, Toun Soetan, as a “Christian indeed” who lived the life of Christ while on earth.
​She made the submission while paying a condolence visit to the Soetan family on Monday, March 16.
Toun Soetan passed away on March 13 at the age of 73. She was widely known for her “old school” ministerial ethics and frequently spoke out against the commercialization of gospel music.
She maintained during her active days in ministry that gospel ministers should never charge a fee for their ministrations, believing that the work of God should be done out of service rather than for profit.
Her most popular hit song, among many others, was “Darling Jesus.”
​Dr. Bola Are paid glowing tribute to her during the visit to her residence. Clad in her signature traditional white attire, Dr. Are spent the first few minutes singing the song she claimed Toun Soetan sang at the moment of her transition.
​The song, “A mo f’eri Jesu” (meaning “I want to see Jesus”), was the last song on Evangelist Soetan’s lips, according to Dr. Are.
​Dr. Are recalled that when Toun Soetan was about to begin her music ministry, she sought her guidance. “She came to me and asked for direction on how to go about the music ministry. She said to me, ‘I have not done this before,’ and asked that I guide her. We sat down together and talked for about five hours.”
​Dr. Are noted that it would be unwise for her to weep because she knows Toun Soetan has gone to be with her Maker.
Highlighting the deep bond between their families, she added: “I don’t even know who the mother of Yetunde Are (Bola Are’s daughter) is—whether it is Bola Are or Toun Soetan. That tells you how close we were.”
