Veteran Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter Toun Soetan, popularly known as Evangelist Shouet, has passed away at the age of 73.
The respected evangelist was widely recognised as the original composer of the popular Christian chorus Darling Jesus, a song that has remained a familiar hymn in churches across Nigeria for decades.
Reacting to the news of her death, former Secretary of the Oyo State chapter of the Entertainment Writers Association of Nigeria, Kunle Bakare, described the late musician as a divinely gifted minister whose music carried deep spiritual messages.
Bakare also noted that the late evangelist made significant contributions to the growth of gospel music through her music training initiatives.
“The late gospel music player will also be remembered for her music college, where she trained so many gospel music players, most of whom are reigning today,” he said.
The passing of the gospel icon was also confirmed by fellow gospel musician Peters Olaniyi Olusegun in a post shared on Facebook.
“We just lost another legend this morning, Mummy Toun Soetan. May the Lord be with the family and Daddy Titus Soetan,” he wrote.
Beyond Darling Jesus, the late evangelist was also known for other notable songs such as Ke Pe Jesu and Cast Your Burdens, which became widely used in Christian worship gatherings over the years.
Her passing has drawn tributes from gospel musicians and worshippers who remember her as a pioneer whose songs helped shape contemporary gospel worship in Nigeria.
