Popular gospel music minister Bunmi Akinnaanu, fondly called Omije Ojumi after her widely loved track of the same title, is dead.
Her death was announced on Tuesday in a statement on Instagram by her colleague, Ayo Melody, on behalf of the family.
The statement, accompanied by a photograph of the deceased and a short clip, stated that she died in a Lagos hospital on January 12, 2026.
It partly reads, “With great sadness, we announce the passing of Evangelist Olubunmi Akinnaanu Adeoye Omije Ojumi, who passed away on 12th January, 2026, at Lagos Hospital, Nigeria. May God grant her eternal rest.”
Olawale Akinnaanu signed the statement on behalf of the family.
Although the cause of death was not revealed, Akinnaanu had publicly requested prayers a few months previously for a leg problem.
In October 2025, during a service at G.F. David Ministries, Ibadan, a video showed the gospel artiste seated with her leg stretched on a chair while a cleric prayed for her.
The pastor had spoken about persistent bleeding in the leg and described the condition as a spiritual attack.
However, it is yet to be confirmed that the ailment was connected to her death.
Akinnaanu started singing at a young age and later left a banking career to pursue gospel music full-time.
She came to prominence with her hit song “Omije Ojumi,” which became a staple in
churches and Christian homes across Nigeria, followed by other releases including “O Ti Sure.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
