By his ilk we surely know him. By his gait we discern him unmistakably. By his disposition we know his measure. By his actions we know his mettle! We all know the company that he keeps—of kings and nobility, of ordinary and of silver spoons; of highs and lows – only their common denominator of being Ijesa matters to him. And we know of his radiant and flamboyant regal regalia, unique and princely, of exaggerated yarn and cut. His neck beads, long and tall as his ambition for his people, and golden pendant adornments are as bombastic as his wrist beads and walking stick—all insignia of class and esoteric Ilesa brand. We know of his unflinching disposition to his people, to serve them tirelessly without ceasing and without fail.
He is unapologetically Omo Obokun and resolutely a champion of and for his people. He is no other that The Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Baba Oba Olayinka Fasuyi. He is the Balogun of Ijebu-Ijesa, Baba Oba of Ilaa-Ijesa, Baba Oba of Iwaraja-Ijesa, Baba Oba of Ido-Oko; Baba Oba of Ayetoro-Ijesa. His accolades are numerous, and they point to the fact that this man is a pacesetter, a diamond in the rough, a champion of inestimable value to his people, whom by his pronouncements and deeds, he has demonstrated complete devotion and elevation. He is the Ijesa defender!
To capture his mien, a cursory review of postings on Ijesa forums where he is a constant presence speak volumes. Many invent new verbiage to describe his person and his posture. He is the “Capacity Asiwaju Global” according to Ajirowa Lateef Bakare. He is acclaimed as “Asiwaju Riaaa,” by Adedotun Onibokun. Adebowale declared that he is “Our Great Asiwaju.” Dr. Adigun Adewoye described him as a “golden fish that cannot be hidden” and characterized his leadership as that “by inspiration and not domination.” Thomas T. Osobu declared that he, Asiwaju, “continues to be honored by his people as a further testimony of his unparalleled great leadership.” Sola George declared it an “esteem honor” for the duo of Asiwaju and his wife, Yeye Asiwaju, to have been given chieftaincy titles. And Dr. Wale Alonge, on learning of the new chieftaincy titles bestowed on Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi and his wife as Baba and Yeye Oba respectively, pronounced that they deserved the honor because “he who sows bountifully must harvest bountifully.”
There are numerous encomiums showered on the person of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi and I can declare that none is self-serving because the Ijesas know and do appreciate good deeds and would acknowledge such without mincing words or engaging in any sycophantic pretense.
As a true Ijesa, he, too, describes people and their efforts in candid and unpretentious manner. Yinka Fasuyi possesses a repertoire of emotion-inducing superlatives that will move the passions of men and women. He would reach deep into your family lineage and pedigree to elevate your being for doing a good deed for Ilesa and the Ijesas. His superlatives are mightier than the sword as they pierce the soul in commending and compelling. He once commented that I am of the “Great Odole Dynasty of Ilesa,” just for contributing my widow’s mite to one of his fundraisers. What about “illustrious and quintessential ICDA member;” “…a thoroughbred ICDA Member, a man of profound intellect, unwavering service …, Academic icon of international repute…” and “there is no doubt that your impressive pedigree in generosity and benevolence…” To him, every Ijesa birthday is “auspicious” and “glorious.” Acknowledging a bank alert in a fundraiser event is not complete without the word “big bang” preceding it”! Barrister Henry Femi Osobu is “our incredible ambassador from Abuja” and Feyi Betchee Tijani is “our own Mayor from Atlanta.” Please, you the reader can add your own Asiwaju superlative descriptors.
He is guided by a phraseology that punctuates most of his writings and that betrays his lifelong mantra: “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” This Albert Einstein quote exemplifies Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi’s practical philosophy, which is that working for his dear people is a worthwhile adventure that will forever engrave his name in the minds of the people. We the Ijesas are the better for Yinka Fasuyi’s philosophical imperative.
There are identifiable qualities that have propelled Yinka Fasuyi to the pinnacle of performance and recognition in his homestead of Ilesa. These qualities when identified, embraced, and demonstrated, the inescapable result is unprecedented success. Asiwaju has an unadulterated love for his people, hence nothing will deter him from working and advocating for them. There are different types of love, and I submit that his love for the Ijesas is selfless—genuine with attendant kindness, generosity, and compassion. He exudes confidence and his appearance endears him to many. He takes care of himself as well, as you see in the pictures and in-person. I see his unique attire and grooming as a confirmation of the sentiments of Willam Shakespeare in King Henry V about loving self and others which states that “self- love, my liege, is not so vile as a sin, as self-neglecting.”
His vision is as clear as crystal in the sun and as such, there is no wasting of precious time on seeking illuminations when the end goal and the pathways are bright enough to awaken the blind. Blindness to a vision is not a pejorative, but a variant state of mind that Yinka Fasuyi is always ready to invest time and effort in to illuminate for his people and to make adherents of them.
His discipline and steadfastness of purpose is inspirational. One wonders if Asiwaju lives in Ilesa or Ibadan or both concurrently. One day he is in Ijebu-Ijesa and the other is in Iwaraja. In the morning of another day, you would see evidence of his attending a ceremony in Ido Oko and in the evening of same day, he would be hob-knobbing with ICDA members in Ilesa at his Oke Baba Okuta Villa. His passion for Ilesa occupies his time and, without doubt, consumes his financial resources as well. He always leads by example, being the first to bell the carte in all his fundraisers for Ijesa projects.
His audacity is exemplary!
His integrity is impeccable!
His erudition is worthy of the highest academic laurels---He writes with clarity and eloquence and unmistaken conviction that exudes arrogance of a determined purpose. He does not write in precis, but elaborate epistles that command attention and that persuade of vested time and interest. Many commend these investments and explication of knowledge and are convinced he is worthy of their followership. The scholars and seasoned professionals are persuaded of his vision and methodology; the pragmatic and streetwise are enamored with his redibility, sagacity, and steadfastness of purpose and the nobility drain from his Pelz effect, while all and sundry find him relatable. These are the premium currencies of a great leader.
His leadership style is worthy of study—unparalleled great leadership that directs, motivates, and achieves. That we have Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi as a role model of good leadership in Ijesaland is truly a blessing to us all as we are all too needing of good leadership.
Not many are that gifted to combine all the qualities of Yinka Fasuyi. I am sure that sometimes he is beside himself when he sees the followership that he has created and the respect he and his family are accorded in Ijesa Kingdom and beyond. Much of Asiwaju’s success can also be attributed to his dear wife, Yeye Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Dr. Olubisi Fasuyi. She has been beside her man, supporting, nudging, counselling, and selflessly spending time and financial resources to fulfill the dreams they both share for Ijesaland. May you be blessed beyond measure. Amen.
When “beggars” celebrate their natal days, there are no comets seen, but the heavens themselves blaze forth the birthday of a quintessential leader of the Ijesa hue. And so, for Asiwaju’s birthday, his people have declared not a paltry one day of celebration, but an unprecedented week of festivities to honor their trailblazer. Let the city dwellers gong this to the villagers all over our land.
Happy birthday to a dear friend and a notable personality that now benchmarks great leadership in our beloved Ijesa Kingdom. I duff my hat to Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi and praise the Ijesa people for recognizing, accepting, and elevating one of our own—a precious gift of inestimable value.
PROF. WALE AWODIYA
Middletown, DE
USA
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