Dr. Gani Adeniran

ASIWAJU OF IJESA LAND @ 7O: A TRIBUTE

I rejoice with my friend, brother and benefactor Yinka Fasuyi as he climb elegantly and with pride up the 7th floor of life in sound health. Nothing can be more glorious and satisfying for a man that has devoted his life to community service hardworking tenacity and philanthropy. Perhaps it was him that the legendary Commander Ebenezer Obey had in mind in his popular lyrics ” ka to fiyan yoye laarin ilu oni lati geni rere”. He squarely and superbly merited the ASIWAJU of Ijesa land title.

Our paths crossed over 50 years ago at Ilesa Grammar school. He was my senior and I doubt if I interacted with him then. Because of his aristocratic pedigree and rascality, he became fairly known and popular. It was at the University of Ibadan that I got closer to him. I am not sure if he was attending the Old Students Association meetings then, with the likes of Fakolujo, Idowu Olayinka, myself, Olaifa, Bimbo Ilugbo, Rotimi Oluborode etc. It was during his post graduate training in the department of agricultural economics that I got close to him. He was usually in the company of Dr. Foluso Okumadewa (as he then was) while Professor Abiodun Falusi provided the father figure to all of us in the 90s.

Yinka radiates self-confidence personal dignity with unassuming disposition. He often looks like a lecturer himself! That was how I became close to him. Because of his warmth and genial disposition, I attended his mother’s birthday at Ilesa many years ago and all of his social engagements to which I am duly invited. Asiwaju enjoys celebrating the success of his friends, at least I attended the party he organised for Professors Adewole, Gbadegesin and Olayinka when they became Vice Chancellors. He also hosts parties for Commissioners of Police and General Officer of Nigeria Army 2nd Division when we had a new one. Apart from attending the wedding of my children, it was through him that I got Baba Ebenezer Obey to play during my daughter’s wedding in 2019. During my retirement and 65th birthday he and his wife were fully there and they actually rescheduled their flight abroad in order to honour me.

Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi gave employment to my nephew shortly after his NYSC for which I was eternally grateful.

In the last fifteen years or so, he has shifted attention to Ilesa and possibly located there thus depriving we Ibadan people due attention. When all is said and done, Yinka Fasuyi’s life has been a success story vertically and horizontally. He has fully documented his exploits and remarkable community service. The last word belongs to his darling and highly supportive wife Dr. (Mrs.) Yeye Asiwaju Fasuyi a paragon of beauty and humility personified

Hearty congratulations once again May the good Lord continue to prosper you and your family.

Ire o!

Dr. Gani Adeniran.