Alagba Olanrewaju Omowale, Laurel, Maryland, USA

Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi: Celebrating A Titan At 70

I have had the opportunity of meeting Asiwaju at close quarters twice. Once in Ilesha, Nigeria, and the other time in New York, USA. Both, at the instance of my very good friend and “brother”, Chief Remi Oyeyemi, the Bobagunwa of Imobi Ijesha. However, I can definitely say, the esteem of Asiwaju’s patriotic deeds in Ijeshaland had preceded our meetings. I had heard stories from different sources of his unmatchable fervor to uplift Ijeshaland from a seemingly forgotten state to its deserving legacy position in Yorubaland and Nigeria, and of his passion to continue from where those renowned and illustrious Obokun scions of yesteryears left off. Of course, evidence abounds of what he had accomplished by coalescing other patriotic Ijesha sons and daughters, to shine the light upon our common patrimony. But the most consequential part of the narrative is that in a clime where probity is a rare commodity, he has carried on these assignments with commendable openness, uncommon candor, and impeccable integrity.

So, with the foretaste of his efforts, I was expecting to meet a man with some chips on his shoulders, however, I saw a man with humility and relatable modesty. He came across as down-to-earth, vastly experienced, wise, and burning with an unquenchable desire to move mountains for the betterment of others.

At the New York meeting, he regaled the very limited number of us present with his vision for Ijeshaland. I observed a man enkindled with an insatiate thirst to make a difference. A stand-out patriot and an irrepressible visionary. He has taken up what many patriots of Ijesha extraction had always wished to be done. Thank you, the cap truly fits.

Asiwaju, as you celebrate this important milestone in a glorious life, may your shadow never grow less. Wishing you many more years of goodness, good health, and greatness.

Happy birthday!

Alagba Olanrewaju Omowale

Laurel, MD

USA