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Olayinka Fasuyi was born into the family of Pa Jacob Olowookere Fasuyi on October 25, 1955. Pa Jacob Olowookere Fasuyi was a textile merchant of note (Osomalo) at Ereja in Ilesa. He became a Christian through the influence Pa Emmanuel Eso (the father of Justice Kayode Eso). He was one of the early members of Holy Trinity church Omofe, Ilesa. History has it that he encouraged all his children to join the choir in the Church. He was also known for his regular donations towards the building and maintenance of the Church and this philanthropic gesture would also be noticed in Olayinka later in life.
I share the same Omofe Church heritage with Olayinka, but our paths did not cross until he started at Otapete Primary School in 1962. I was already in the Special Class of the School with the likes of Professor Olu Malomo and Engineer Kehinde Sarumi. We met again during his period in Total Nigeria Limited as their marketing Executive. He joined us in Ilesa Lions club in the late 1980s during my Presidency of the club. I am sure it was in Lions club that he imbibed the idea of a great selfless leadership; a leadership that enjoined all to take the credit even when an idea originated from one person. Olayinka has used this Principle so well in his community development activities.
Olayinka voluntarily resigned from Total Nigeria Limited in 1992; a very uncommon act at the time! He went into a long period of self-development and seclusion during which he acquired multiple University degrees and building various companies. The Ibadan business School IBS (2011,) with its world-class facilities is a product of this era. Like the Elephant this gestation period was long, but the product was worth the wait.
After his 60th birthday, Olayinka re-entered the Social Space with a bang. He became the Asiwaju of Ilesa, and when many were still wondering who this “Asiwaju” was, he championed the building of Owa’s ultramodern palace in a record time of 9 months. This beautiful edifice showed him as a leader in the community. At the commissioning of the palace, he was publicly proclaimed the Asiwaju of Ijesa land by Oba Kabiyesi Aromolaran II and this laid to rest any controversy as to his Asiwaju status.
Olayinka has since enriched Ijesa land with many community-based projects:
Geriatric hospital and health insurance for the elderly.
Yearly training of Ijesa students at Federal Technical college: free.
Yearly training of Ijesa students at Leventis foundation for Agriculture: free.
He played a prominent role in the establishment of University of Ilesa.
In the last 10 years of his Asiwaju status, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi Foundation (AYFF) has paid WAEC fees for over 2,500 students in Ijesa land.
Olayinka is a member of almost all the socio-cultural groups involved in the development of Ijesa land
Ijesa Felates club.
Ijesa Roots club.
Ijesa Elders Forum.
Egbe Atunluse Ile Ijesa.and
Patron of many clubs and societies, including the famous Ijesa Sports Club.
Olayinka is well rooted in the Anglican communion. At the beginning of every major projects he will consult deeply with God. This was attested to buy our late Provost of the Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity Omofe, Ilesa; Enitan Oludare Olajide. In recognition of his service to God he became the Balogun Ijo about 2 years ago.
In appreciation of the goodness of God and to mark this chieftaincy he donated a one hundred million (100 million) guesthouse to the Cathedral. This Guesthouse will forever remain a sign post of his commitment to God’s work.
On the home front Olayinka is managed by a beautiful and brilliant lady; Yeye Asiwaju, Dr. Olubisi Fasuyi whom we fondly call ‘Omowe’. God has blessed the union with beautiful children.
At 70 years Olayinka is one of the most travelled Nigerians. He has been to 108 countries and is still counting!
He has probably received more chieftaincy titles than any Ijesa man living or dead. Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey said in one of his records that “they are uncountable!” Olayinka’s selfless work has had profound impacts on the lives of many, and his legacy will continue to inspire others.
Happy 70th birthday and many happy returns.
Signed:
Dr. Abiodun Oginni.
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