Popular Nigerian Islamic singer Rukayat Gawat-Oyefeso has died. She passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
- News of her death was first shared on Tuesday morning by Ilorin-based cleric Alfa Aribidesi At-Tawdeeh on his official Facebook page.
- Her relative Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the news on X. The Governor's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, also confirmed it.
- The family did not immediately give an official cause of death. One family source told reporters she died after a brief illness.
Funeral and burial
The Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) was held at Ojota, Lagos. Hundreds of fans, relatives and friends then gathered at Ayepe in Ijebu land, Ogun State, for her burial.
Who was Rukayat Gawat?
- Rukayat was born on January 1, 1985. She was the first daughter of Rasaq Gawat, a well-known television presenter and Islamic cleric whose disappearance years ago remains unresolved.
- She became widely known for emotional songs about her father's disappearance, including Aye Le, and was also loved for songs such as Ijo Ope.
- She won City People Magazine's Best Female Islamic Musician award in 2016 and Best Islamic Artiste at the 2017 City People Music Awards.
- She is survived by her husband, Shakiru Oyefeso, their children, her mother and her siblings.
Fans and colleagues in the Islamic music community have since paid tribute to her on social media, recalling her voice and her devotion to her faith and family.
