Posted by fabulous reporter
The week-long 80th birthday celebration of Senator Anthony Adefuye began today with a play by the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).
To celebrate the life and times of the renowned Senator who also doubles as the TAMPAN Lagos State Life Patron, Business summit and fair Life patron, friends and well-wishers organised a command performance titled ‘Eni Iyi’ (Man of Dignity).
The stage play was held at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). It took the audience through the different life experiences Adefuye had to get to where he is now.
In attendance were the Oba of Shomolu; Princess Latifat; Chief Mrs Modupe Olupojude (Iyaloja of Shomolu), Honorable Babatubde Adesida; Honorable Adelunle Eyiyemi (Vice Chairman Shomolu LGA); Hon. Yomi Olubamijo (party chairman APC Shomolu LGA); Hon. Gbenga Abdullahi; and Prince Olofa Ademola Adedokun.
Other distinguished guests included the Former governor of TAMPAN Lagos Otunba Alexander Debo; the immediate past governor of TAMPAN, Chief Mrs Esusu Oyewunmi; the Present governor of Lagos State TAMPAN, Chief Ayodele Ayobiojo; Dr Mrs Michael Oyebanjo Paul; Hon. Pastor Ademola Adefalujo-Olisa (Apex leader APC Shomolu); Hon. Bayo Adefuye; and Mr Tokunbo Adefuye.
The play started in 1944 when his mother, Late Madam Adefuye was pregnant with him at the village – Ilu Otitoloju. The witches were against her safe delivery so the Ifa priests tried to intervene. When the witches proved dogged, the chief priest left her to her fate.
Eventually, angels came to Mama Adefuye’s rescue and assisted her in delivering the baby. He would then grow up to be a smart young boy who did not shy away from helping his mother with chores, chief of which was making and hawking fufu.
In his activities, he encountered a professor who liked him and ensured his education was not stifled. When the time came for political nominations from his hometown, the villagers rallied around Adefuye and he got the King’s approval.
While in office, the Senator secured jobs for the youth, assisted the needy, and improved the community’s standard of living. For his good works, the King then accorded him the title of Olugbon of Ilu Otitoloju.
At the end of the play, the Senator hailed the actors after plans to take the play to the cinemas were presented and approved. TAMPAN also presented the senator with a mobile portrait to appreciate him for all he has done for the association.
He then lectured the audience on the importance of hygiene and knowing their sugar level and blood pressure. In his final words, he said, “Make sure you take care of yourself and help the people around you as soon as you can.”
The events of the day ended with an award presentation to three communities which participated in a cultural performance competition. The winners from Bariga went home with Five Hundred Thousand naira; while the second position (Shogbamu) got Three Hundred Thousand and the Shomolu community which came third was awarded Two Hundred Thousand naira. senator Anthony Adefuye’s 80th birthday celebration continues till Sunday 18th August, 2024 with varieties of a week long activities, Senator’s 80th birthday
