Giving back to the society -The Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi Foundation (AYFF) Presents Cheques for WAEC Fees of 310 Students From 62 Public Secondary Schools in Ijesaland

A socialite philanthropist of note, who is the Asiwaju of Ilesa, Balogun of Ijebujesa and the Patron of Ibadan Recreationally Club, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi has paid the fees of 310 students for the 2021 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination through the Education Support  Initiative of a Non-governmental and Non-political, Asiwaju  Yinka Fasuyi Foundation AYFF that he co-founded with his wife, Yeye Asiwaju (Dr.) Olubisi Fasuyi.

310 beneficiaries drawn from 62 public Secondary Schools across the 6 Local Government Areas of Ijesaland gathered at a well-attended ceremony that was held on Tuesday, 22nd December, 2020 at Damol Event Centre, Osogbo Road Ilesa, where a total sum of N5,710,850 were disbursed. Each of the students also went home with a  school bag  and 5 branded exercise books. Summarily, for the 2020/2021 edition of the Education Support Initiative, the AYFF committed the sum of N12,130,850.

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, in his remarks noted that the scholarship will obviously reduce the financial pressure on the students, their parents and guardians as he advised the beneficiaries to shun anti-social behaviors which can adversely affect their aspirations. " These ills include cultism and risky sexual habits. You are familiar with the dangers posed by HIV/AIDS. You should avoid negative peer influence." He said.

The royal father of the day, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, LL.D, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland appreciated the Education Support Initiative of AYFF as he showered encomiums on Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyih while noting that he has distinguished himself as a builder of new Ijesa consciousness  as an astute player in company of Ijesa sons and daughters that built the new Owa Adimula palace. 

In a message of commendation and appreciation from the State Ministry of Education and indeed Osun State Government delivered by Mrs. C. K. Olaniyan, Osun Education Ministry Coordinator that represented Osun Commissioner for Education, Mr. Folorunso Oladoyin, the Ministry and the State Government acknowledge with all intents and purposes the undying zeal of the average Ijesa parents in giving their children sound education as symbolised in the personality of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi.

"Let me seize this opportunity to congratulate Ijesaland on producing an academic envisioned philanthropist in person of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi who is trying to keep the flag of academic excellence (for which Ijesa people are renowned) flying." Mrs. C. K. Olaniyan said.

It is worthy of note that over the years, AYFF has been committed to the process of impacting the society through various empowerment programs for the youth as a way of reengineering their minds for greatness. 650 students selected meritoriously from secondary schools in Ijesaland have benefited from the annual WAEC fees scholarship that debuted in 2017/2018 with 100 students. 250 beneficiaries in 2018/2019 and 300 beneficiaries in 2019/2020 editions.

With this fourth edition, 960 most brilliant students across the 6 Local Governments of Ijesaland have benefited.

Present at the occasion were an array of Ijesa traditional rulers, Principal of schools and parents and guardians.

Dignitaries included, Chief Oyekanmi Ogedengbe, the Obaala of Ilesa, Chief  Chief Akin Akinola, the Sawe of Ilesa, Prof. Tayo Rotimi among many others.

Photos: (All credit Oladimeji Lasore +2347035105413)