Fuji music legend Love Azeez laid to rest in Lagos

Alhaji Azeez Oladeji, a pioneering Fuji musician known to his fans as Love Azeez, has been laid to rest in Lagos after passing away, marking the end of an era for the genre.

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The Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria announced his death through a statement issued by its National Public Relations Officer, Ade Bola Muili, also known as King Kakaki Safarri, on Thursday.

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The statement expressed profound sorrow and a heavy heart as it announced the passing of Alhaji Azeez Alarape Adio Oladeji, describing him as one of the foremost pioneers and oldest living Fuji music legends.

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According to the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Love Azeez was a revered icon whose contributions to the development and preservation of Fuji music spanned several decades, earning him a place of honour among the greats of Fuji music history.

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His remarkable journey, wealth of experience, and dedication to the genre have been highlighted by the association, which noted that his passing marks a monumental loss to the Fuji music community.

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The family of the veteran musician laid him to rest on Thursday in Ojodu-Berger, Lagos State, following the Zuhr prayers and in accordance with Islamic rites.

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A gathering of family members, friends, colleagues, admirers, and members of the Fuji music community took place at the burial to pay their final respects to the music icon.

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Notable attendees included former Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria, Tony Okoroji, and Fuji star Alhaji Musibau Alani, popularly known as Omo Kekere, who led members of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria's executive and other Fuji artistes to honour the late musician.

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Love Azeez had previously served as President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria in 1989 and chaired the Copyright Society of Nigeria, contributing to the advancement of Nigeria's music industry.

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Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria President, Alhaji Sikiru Agboola Ayinde, also known as SK Sensation, described his death as an irreparable loss to the Fuji music industry, alongside the association's National Executive Council.

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The association extended its deepest condolences to Love Azeez's immediate family, friends, associates, admirers, and the entire Fuji music fraternity worldwide, praying for Almighty Allah's forgiveness and granting him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.

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The Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria noted that while Fuji music has lost one of its oldest and brightest stars, Love Azeez's legacy and contributions will remain etched in the annals of history.