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 icon, was widely recognised as the original composer of the popular Christian chorus ‘Darling Jesus’, a song that has remained a verse in churches across Nigeria.

Reacting to her passing, former Secretary of the Oyo State chapter of the Entertainment Writers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Kunle Bakare, described the late musician as a divinely gifted minister whose songs carried powerful spiritual messages.

“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,” Bakare said.

Also confirming the incident, gospel musician Peters Olaniyi Olusegun shared the news in a Facebook post.

“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.