It is with heart full of joy and happiness that I join in hilarious congratulations to our ebullient, charismatic, ever-joyous, ever-smiling, albeit, deeply focused Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi on his 70th birthday.
Friends and admirers of Yinka Fasuyi, are bound to perceive him in different ways depending on which side of him they focus and how they met him.
I met our celebrant purely by chance at far-away Seoul, South Korea at the 2016 Rotary International Convention. I was by myself cooling off with ice-cream at a corner in one of the numerous relaxation booths scattered all over the Convention Arena; suddenly, a man in smart-causal attractive dress, politely tapped my shoulder followed by warm greetings and beautiful smile to which I joyfully reciprocated, albeit wondering deep down in me, who he was.
“Where are you from Sir?” He asked. I responded, “Nigeria.” Apparently, he had not seen my Rotary badge attached to a blue ribbon hanging over my neck. By the time I stood to stretch and re-adjust myself, seeing my name -“Olatunde Aluko” and my classification -“Geologist,” he shouted “whao!” “You must be an Ijesa man, I am Yinka Fasuyi, from Ilesa…”
When I confirmed his assumption, he shook my hands hilariously and that, obviously attracted the attention of other delegates of different nationalities relaxing in the booth as many of them looked in our direction, albeit with friendly smiles on their faces.
Yinka Fasuyi, as simple as that then, and I chatted for a while, exchanged phone numbers and parted different directions. We did not see again at the Convention that had over 25,000 delegates from over 200 countries of the world.
It did not take long before we reconnected on our arrival back in Nigeria, after our chance meeting in Seoul.
Again, he took the initiative of first call during which he intimated me with his idea of wanting a chieftaincy title in Ilesa. When he mentioned his choice title of “Asiwaju,” I was dazed but promised him that I would urgently meet with the reigning Owa, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, my revered Royal-Father and a close friend, since our U.I days.
As promised, I wasted no time in speaking to Owa. When I mentioned our preferred tittle, “Asiwaju,” like me, he was visibly dazed. The rest is now history, Yinka Fasuyi was first conferred with the title of “Otun-Asiwaju” of Ilesa. By the time Yinka Fasuyi swung into action, mobilized a number of like-minded patriots, with him hugely leading in financial contribution and direct day and night supervision, a monumental, state-of-the Palace was delivered in unbelievable record time of one year. Incredible!
With this accomplishment, Owa Obokun Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran needed no further prompting before he elevated Yinka Fasuyi with the title of “Asiwaju of Ijesa land.”
As if our Asiwaju had a Crystal Ball through which he saw what he needed to achieve his great dream for his father-land, The Ijesa land. With this title, he felt officially equipped to mobilize the young and the old for an aggressive development of Ijesa land.
Profiling the achievements of our Asiwaju since his assumption of this changeling leadership position is certainly outside the scope of this tribute. Being honoured with the exalted tittle by Owa Aromolaran was indeed putting a round peg in a round hole.
The appointment stands out as one of the great legacies of our departed Royal Father. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace in the bosom of Christ Jesus through the Mercy of God. Amen.
All that remains for me in this Tribute of congratulations is to say hearty and hilarious congratulations to Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi on this auspicious occasion of his 70th birthday.
My dear brother and friend, Yinka, may God in His mercy continue to strengthen you and grant you many more happy years of celebration of service to Ijesa land and to humanity at large in good health, joy, happiness, and peace of mind in Jesus mighty name. Amen
Three Hearty & Hilarious Cheers to Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi!
Signed:
Sir (Chief) Olatunde Ishola Aluko, FNMGS, KJW
Sasore of Ilesa,
Orunto of Ibodi-Ijesa,
Baajipe of Lagos,
Apesin of Ikorodu
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