The remains of the renowned surgeon and former Secretary General of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Sir (Dr.) Leonard Idowu Dovi Kufeji were interred at the Atan Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos after a funeral Mass held at St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos, on Friday August 7, 2020. The funeral Mass concelebrated by the Parish Priest and Dean of Agege Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Nnaemeka, Very Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Ania, the Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Anyanwu and Rev. Fr. Adedayo Jenfa,CM., had in attendance few members of the deceased family, close friends and associates in line with the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines on physical distancing. In his sermon, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Nnaemeka said the Late Dr. Leonard Kufeji served the Church and the nation in different capacities.
In his words, “During his lifetime he served as usher and the Chairman of the Church wardens. He was also on the board of the Anthony Cardinal Okogie hospital, New Oko-Oba, Abule-Egba and one time Secretary General of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).” He described the deceased as a humble person who worked tirelessly to improve the life of the poor wherever he finds himself and that the best prayer one can offer the dead is the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. Fr. Nnaemeka condoled with the family for the irreplaceable loss of their father, grandfather and mentor.
The National President of Papal Knights and former Metropolitan Grand Knight of the Order of St. Mulumba, Sir Patrick Ikemefuna described the Late Dr. Kufeji as a humble, intelligent, generous and strong defender of the Faith which earned him the rare honour of Papal Knight of St. Gregory. The Knights, the Religious, and the Academics drawn from the National Post-Graduate College and the Nigerian Academy of Medicine, though few in number, were present at the funeral Mass. Sir (Dr.) Leonard Kufeji died at the age of 76 on 27th June, 2020. He is survived by three children and grandchildren.
