Veteran Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter Toun Soetan, popularly known as Evangelist Shouet, has passed away at the age of 73.
The respected evangelist and gospel music minister was widely recognised as the original composer of the popular Christian chorus Darling Jesus, a song that has remained a staple in church worship across Nigeria for decades.
Reacting to her passing, Kunle Bakare, a former secretary of the Entertainment Writers Association of Nigeria in Oyo State, described the late singer as a spiritually gifted minister whose music carried deep and inspiring messages.
Bakare noted that Soetan would also be remembered for establishing a music college where she trained many gospel musicians who are now active in the ministry.
The news of her death was also confirmed by gospel musician Peters Olaniyi Olusegun, who announced it in a Facebook post while expressing condolences to her family, including her husband Titus Soetan.
“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, Evangelist Soetan was known for other notable gospel songs, including Ke Pe Jesu and Cast Your Burdens, which gained wide acceptance in Christian worship gatherings.
She was also widely respected for mentoring upcoming gospel musicians through her music college, where she trained numerous singers and instrumentalists who have gone on to become prominent in the gospel music ministry.