Gospel singer Aduke Ajayi, affectionately known as Aduke Gold, has been laid to rest at her residence in Ikorodu, Lagos.
Family members, friends and fans gathered on Friday to pay their final respects and honor the legacy of the late artiste.
The burial service held in the early hours of Thursday in Ogba, Lagos, was an emotional event. Mourners arrived as the deceased was brought in a white coffin, marking the beginning of the solemn ceremony.
During the service, Michael Akande, a long-time bandmate of Aduke Gold, shared heartfelt memories. He described her as more than just a colleague.
“I’ve known Aduke Gold for nearly fourteen years. She was like a blood sister to me,” Akande said, overcome with emotion. He revealed that within the band, they fondly referred to her as “Mama.”
Due to his overwhelming grief, the MC had to assist in conveying Akande’s sentiments to the audience.
“Aunty Aduke touched the lives of everyone in the band. She believed in education, property ownership, and living a good life. She would challenge you if you were going astray because she wanted you to be better,” he said
Aduke’s cousin, also in tears expressed her disbelief and sorrow upon hearing the news of her passing.
“When I heard, I wondered. Is it real? Are they really telling the truth that Aduke Gold is gone? In our family, we are so close. She was humble and respectful. She even sang at my wedding. This is a great shock, a rude shock to the entire Ajayi family,” she lamented.
Friends, neighbors and other family members echoed these sentiments, remembering Aduke as a “humble,” “gentle,” “good” and “calm” individual who touched many lives.
Pastor Henry Sinmidele delivered a brief sermon, encouraging those in attendance to discover and utilise their gifts just as Aduke did.
“God knows best. Aduke lived a good life and used her gifts to praise the Creator. She made a significant impact on those close to her,” the pastor remarked.
Following the service, attendees paid their final respects before Aduke’s body was taken to her residence in Ikorodu, which is still under construction.
A candlelight procession was held in her honor on Wednesday night in Ogba, followed by an Artistes’ Night event on Thursday that extended into the early hours of Friday.
Aduke Gold’s passing on August 12 sent shockwaves through the gospel music community, with some controversy surrounding the cause of her death.
However her brother, Pastor Aderogbo Ajayi, clarified in an interview with Gbeborun9ja that she succumbed to cervical cancer.
Beyond her musical talents, Aduke Gold was also a scholar. She earned a degree in History and International Relations from Lagos State University, supported by a scholarship from Opeyemi Bamidele, the former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Lagos State, among others.
