The Executive committee, trustees and members of the Ijesa Felates Club, Ilesa , Osun State on Thursday spoke glowingly of one of the founders, late Prince 'Seyi Lufadeju, saying "It is Hard to say Goodbye to a Fellow Mate like Him" as they honored his contributions and celebrated his legacy.
Prince Seyi who had been in Ilesa for the 2024 Christmas and 2025 new year festivities with friends, family and colleagues suddenly died in his sleep at the night of January 21/22 at his Abuja residence at the age of 78.
A special session of memorial tributes held at Seyi Lufadeju Hall of the Club's House had in attendance many dignitaries including members of the Lufadeju family, the Executive committee members, trustees and club members.
The sequence of events was kick-started by singing of the Ijesa Anthem which was composed by Prince Biodun Lufadeju followed by an Opening Prayer rendered by Very Rev Engr. Seun Adeniyi, a trustee of the Club.
In his welcome address, the Director General of the Club, Very Rev. Dr. Biodun Ogunbeku recognized the deceased for representing Ijesa Felates Club with class and pride.
In a special citation read by Prince Toyin Olalemi the Club's General Secretary, the attendees listened to a detailed profile of the deceased that highlighted his birth, early life, the birth of Ijesa Felates Club, his influence on Ijesaland, his religious life and his final days.
Trustees including Akin Oke, Dr. Biodun Oginni amongst others described late 'Seyi as a good man who kept no malice....who always wanted things to bubble...a visionary who lifted the image of the Cathedral Church of Omofe as one member testified that whatever he has become in the Christianity was through Seyi Lufadeju.
The memorable event also featured the unveiling of the Seyi Lufadeju Hall directed by Trustee Oba Doyin Adelekun who was assisted by all other trustees present and the induction of Prince Dr. Adedamola Lufadeju, son of the deceased as a member of the Club.
Late Seyi Lufadeju and Felates.
About the mid 1960s, Seyi Lufadeju, his friends, late Akintola Omole, late Agbo Babatope, and the present Royal Highness, Oba Adedoyin Adelekun, whenever they were available in town, used to assemble to enjoy their time together. Most times they would assemble with Akintola Omole at the castle, or at the shop of Tunde Joshua along Catholic Church road, or at any other designated points. Although, other friends used to join them from time to time, these five formed the engine and driving core of the group. By the second half of the 60s, their group had become sufficiently identifiable and bold enough, and they called themselves "Fellow Mates".
Such was the link of Seyi with the mustard seed, "Fellow Mates," of over sixty years ago that has now become a giant Iroko tree, "Felates", of today.
He became the first President, now, officially the first Director General, of Felates in 1967.
On the roll, Seyi was registered as No 001, the first member. Not surprisingly, therefore, his friend Akintola Omole was the second Director General, and registered as No 002, while Oba Adelekun was 3rd Director General, and registered as No 003.
Seyi Lufadeju and his initial group laid the foundations of the present day vintage visibilities of ljesa Felates Club, and of the continuous progress and infrastructure developments in the club since over the years, till today. He encouraged quality members to join. He did not just encourage, he also mentored many to take up leadership positions in the club, supporting them with all his efforts.
He remained a pillar of the club, a Trustee, a trusted Trustee on his own, a reference beacon of all that are noble and beautiful in ljesa Felates.
Trustees and members of the Club at the event included Oba Adedoyin Adelekun, Prof. Okurotimi Tayo, Engr. Seun Adeniyi, Dr. Akinlolu Oke, Dr. Gbenga Lufadeju, Mr. Foluso Olomola, Dr. Abiodun Oginni, Prof. Oginni, Otunba Olusola Ajayi, Pastor Funso Haastrup,Oludunsin Tayo, Olori Adelekun, Mrs. Barr. Adeola Tayo, Mrs. Oginni, Mrs. Adeola Olalemi and Mrs. Banke Lufadeju amongst others.
Family members and spouses, children, grandchildren and friends of late Seyi Lufadeju that witnessed the event included Prof. Emmanuel Adedolapo Lufadeju, Dr. Ademola Lufadeju, Foluso Lufadeju, Debo Lufadeju, Mrs. Laitan Lufadeju, Tinuade Lufadeju, Past. Gbolade Bukola, Fikayo Lufadeju, Tobi Lufadeju, Olubanke Lufadeju, Foluke Adelekun, Dr. Toye Lufadeju, Prince Biodun Lufadeju, Akin Lufadeju, Ms Bola Lufadeju aka Headmistress, Timi Lufadeju, Tolu Lufadeju and Past. Segun Lufadeju, Mr. Dapo Alabi and wife, Mr. Elvis Chukwu amongst others.
Coverage script ✍️ Camera 📸 ---Credit: Oladimeji Lasore (+2347035105413, [email protected])
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