I feel honoured and happy to have been invited to contribute to the book of tributes to mark the 70th birthday anniversary of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi. This forum gives us all the opportunity to appreciate an icon and a jewel of a man in our midst.
The forum allows us to thank the Almighty God for preserving his life in good health, and for keeping us alive to witness the celebration of the life of our brother, son, uncle, father, husband, and friend.
It is easy to predict that this book of tributes will no doubt contain several pages and contributions highlighting the accomplishments of Asiwaju Fasuyi in various ways. For example, the book will no doubt inform us of the following facts:
Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi is the first Asiwaju Of Ijesaland; the girst Balogun of Ijebu-Jesa; the Baba Oba of Iwaraja-Ijesa; the Baba Oba of Ilaa-Ijesa; the fourth Balogun Ijo of the 129-year-old Cathedral Church Omofe, Ilesa; the founder and Chief Consultant of the 33-year-old Supreme Management Training and Consultancy Services Ltd; the founder and President of 14-year-old Ibadan Business School, Ibadan; the founder and Chairman of a 10-year-old Community Philanthropy Organisation, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi Foundation (AYFF); the Patron of the first cosmopolitan club in Africa, Ibadan Recreation Club (1902); the Patron of Ijesa Sports Club; and the Chairman of the Ijesa Community Development Assembly ( ICDA).
The above list is complemented by the fact that he attended the prestigious Ilesa Grammar School, founded in 1934, and graduated with flying colours. I would add that he is a Patron of Band of Hope of the Methodist Cathedral, Otapete, Ilesa (of which I am also Patron), among many other societies. He has mentored many young people. He has provided scholarships to many, aiding their aspirations and progress in life. He has dedicated his life to the service of his people.
I also know that many will underline his many attributes and achievements. There will be many accolades poured upon him and these are very well deserved. Those (and there are many) who know Asiwaju Fasuyi, and who have known his various contributions to the development of Ijesaland, cannot and will not be surprised that all of us thank and appreciate him for various reasons. The book of tributes is an indelible recognition of his worth, impact and contributions to the community in particular and Nigeria generally.
There are three main areas in which any man or woman can leave a legacy and unforgettable footprints. These are related to SPIRITUAL, PUBLIC and PERSONAL legacies. From my own point of view and knowledge of his various activities, Asiwaju Fasuyi has left and continues to leave glorious footprints in many areas of man’s endeavors.
A spiritual legacy is between God and self. However, a spiritual legacy is revealed by the glory of God that surrounds the existence of the person blessed by God. Asiwaju is the Balogun of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Omofe, Ilesa, a cathedral he has supported morally, physically and financially. Is there any wonder that God has continued to bless him?
The public legacy is established when the public recognises the impact of his leadership, when, the community continues to benefit from his generosity and the determination to help the community and to help the needy with both encouragement and support with money and materials. Yinka Fasuyi has done so much and continues to blaze the trail in improving the lives of Ijesa people. A couple of examples among many, are worthy of mention. He led the founding of Ijesa Geriatric Hospital in Ilesa as well as the Health Insurance Scheme for the elderly.
The third legacy is related to the character of this celebrant. This where I can boldly declare that Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi is, simply put, A GOOD MAN.
Let me remind you. Spiritual Legacy can only be vouched for by God; nobody else. The public legacy is for everybody to see what achievements and contributions are on ground, and visibly so. It is the legacy related to interpersonal relationship that impacts friends and family on a personal basis. The virtues exhibited by the celebrant are what have impressed me the most. Let me highlight a few.
Despite his many great achievements. Asiwaju Fasuyi has HUMILITY as a character. He has continued to demonstrate our Yoruba cultural characteristic of respecting elders. He has shunned arrogance in all its forms. He has made his home training and fear of God proud. Asiwaju has the virtue of GENEROSITY. He donates to different impactful causes. He is engaged in philanthropy. He has unparalleled LEADERSHIP qualities and capacities. This came out in bold relief when, some time ago, there was a disagreement between Ilesa and the Electricity Company. Asiwaju singlehandedly waded into the crisis and led the path to resolution. I (as many others do) remember his leadership in and contribution to the construction of the new Owa Palace.
Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi is a good man. He is a caring, responsible, reliable and trustworthy character who relates with honesty, integrity and love of his fellowman. How do I know? It is because I have personally experienced the virtues he has and his being humble, respectful, caring and loving. When the legacy of my father (AYOOLA of TEMIDIRE fame) was attempted to be eroded, I called him from the Diaspora. He joined immediately, in the company of elders such as Baba Sawe, Chief Akin Akinola, to extinguish the crisis. His reaction was immediate and committed.
When I invited him to donate to the dedication of the new Ilesa Grammar School Gate, as the chairman, he did not hesitate in attending and contributing money to a successful launching.
During the funeral ceremony of my brother, retired Supreme Court Justice Yinka Ayoola, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Yinka Fasuyi, was present at the Service of Songs and the Church Service in Ibadan with his lovely wife, Yeye Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Dr Olubisi Fasuyi, supporting me as good and kind brother and sister do. Thank you.
No one can fake characters. With Asiwaju Fasuyi, what you see is what you get. He exhibits the goodness of God in line with God’s injunction and expectation of a man blessed by the Almighty.
We are blessed to have him as one jewel of our own. I congratulate him and his lovely family and wish him many more years in good health.
May God bless you and your endeavours.
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” -2 Thessalonians 1:11.
•Chief Ayoola, JP, MBBS, ABIM (USA), FACP (USA), FMCP (Nig), FWACP, is a retired Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology. The Saloro of Ilo-Ijesa is the chairman, Templars Investment Company, chairman, Ayoola Temidire Chapel of Christ Trust. The Flag House, Ijebu-Jesa Road, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria.
