Veteran Fuji musician, Alhaji Love Azeez Oladeji, has died at the age of 81.
The respected artiste reportedly passed away on Wednesday at his residence in Lagos State after a brief illness.
His death was confirmed by the General Secretary of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria, Adekunle Abiodun.
Announcing the development in a Facebook post, Abiodun expressed sadness over the loss of the veteran musician.
“So sad, the oldest Fuji musician, Alhaji Love Azeez Oladeji, gave up the ghost this evening after a brief illness,” he wrote.
Abiodun also referred to the late singer as “Baba wa,” a term of respect commonly used for elders within the Fuji music community.
Alhaji Love Azeez Oladeji was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Fuji music and one of the genre’s longest-serving performers. Throughout his career, he contributed significantly to the growth and preservation of the indigenous Yoruba music style.
His death has been described by many admirers and industry stakeholders as the end of an era in Fuji music.
In line with Islamic traditions, the late musician was buried on Thursday, June 18.
Family members, friends, colleagues and members of the Fuji music community attended the burial prayers and interment to pay their final respects.
The passing of Alhaji Love Azeez Oladeji adds to the growing list of notable losses recorded in Nigeria’s entertainment industry in recent months.
