The Nigerian gospel music community has been thrown into mourning following the death of renowned gospel singer and educationist, Evangelist Rachel Olatoun Soetan, who passed away on Friday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
She died at the age of 72, born on June 18, 1954, the late evangelist would have turned 73 next June.
The news of her death was announced in a publication shared on Instagram on Friday, although the cause of death was not disclosed.
Evangelist Soetan was born in Lagos but grew up in the Beere area of Ibadan, where she was raised in a Muslim polygamous family alongside 28 children.
She later converted to Christianity after giving her life to Jesus Christ during a three-day crusade held at Oritamefa Baptist Church, Ibadan, in 1974.
Following her conversion, she became deeply involved in church activities and education, rising through the ranks as a teacher within the Baptist mission schools and nearly becoming the head of Oritamefa Baptist Schools before she answered what she described as a divine call into gospel music ministry.
Until her death, Evangelist Soetan was still active in the education sector and served as a teacher at Pathfinder College, Samonda, near the University of Ibadan.
She was widely respected in gospel music circles for her spiritual depth and commitment to worship ministry.
Her life and contributions to gospel music were the subject of an academic study titled “Rachael Olatoun Soetan: A Study of Her Life, Music and Legacy in the Nigerian Gospel Music Scene,” authored by Ayokunmi Olaoluwa Marvelous of the University of Ibadan and Julius Oluwayomi Oluwadamilare of the University of Ilesa.
The late evangelist also taught courses on Worship and Spiritual Warfare at the Diploma School of Deliverance and Healing (SODAH), Ibadan, an arm of God Will Do It Ministries founded by the late Rev. Dr. Gomba Fortune Oyor.
She is survived by her husband, children, and extended family. The Christian community in Nigeria has called for prayers for the family as burial arrangements are expected to be announced in due course.