Dr. Yemi Farounbi, former Nigeria ambassador to the Republic of Philippines has identified the collapse of the spirit of working together as the reason for the dwindling Yorubaland community development. He made the statement at a Public Lecture titled "Community Development Initiatives as a Springboard for National Cohesion -- Ijesaland as a Case Study", being the 5th day of the 9-day series of programs organized by the Olayinka Fasuyi 70th Birthday Organizing Committee.
The event sponsored by the Committee of Friends and Associates of Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi, took place at the Zenabab Half Moon Event Centre on Wednesday 22 October, 2025 and attracted a large audience.
Dr. Yemi Farounbi reminisced on the historical Yoruba communal system where brotherhood played a major role as against the modern day competitive capitalist tendencies.
He emphasized on the Yoruba cultural communal system of growing together as he referred to how people used to help each other out with work, whether it was on the farm or building houses. These included "Àáró and Òwè.. the practice where men, typically friends or age groups go to each other's farm, presenting a collective developmental purpose as against individual purpose. Past experienced earlier government policies also assisted communities to come together particularly to build schools and/or send indigents abroad to attain higher educational qualifications. But suddenly all these stopped.
Giving reasons for the unfavorable change, the Guest Speaker identified modern day government in what he referred to as " the them and the us"; introduction of capitalism that encouraged competition and the marriage concept of the West that introduced changes in family living as in "myself, my wife and my children", individualism. This, a major obstacle in Yoruba land progress set in thi made him to lose hope completely until the Ijesaland miracle!
According to Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi becoming the first Asiwaju of Ijesaland that was divinely ordained, gave him the platform to perform the miracle of Ijesaland, starting by uniting the Ijesaland traditional rulers and bringing together like-minded Ijesaland sons and daughters and all these became possible because Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi himself is good.
"We have lost working together and this is what Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi has restored and those that are working with him for the development of Ijesaland are doing so because he is good. No one will choose to follow a rogue." Farounbi said as he praised the Ijesaland communal efforts that is bringing development to her people such as the ultra-modern palace, Geriatric Centre, University of Ilesa, scholarships for students among others.
Concluding, Dr. Yemi Farounbi charged the celebrant not to relent in his quest to make Ijesaland better than he met it even as he celebrates his platinum anniversary and he encouraged other Yoruba communities to emulate the Ijesaland miracle.
Earlier, representative of Professor Folorunso Adewole, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Adeyinka Aderintan identified the commitment of the Asiwaju to the development of ijesaland especially in the area of social and infrastructural development and promoting unity.
In his reaction, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi appreciated all his well-wishers as he delved into his latest initiative on Ijesaland Development Fund and the Health Insurance scheme for Ijesaland elderlies that has already recorded a surplus of N82m.
Representative of Prof. Taiwo Ashaolu, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilesa prof. Posi Aduroja remarked that Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi is transparently good.
Royal father of the day, HRH Oba Barr. Dr . Samson Adeleke Agunbiade Oke Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa named Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi as a Prophet of Ijesaland and described Dr Farounbi as a pride of Yoruba race.
Cutting of the birthday cake as guests and well-wishers took position in group photography with the celebrant and his wife Yeye Asiwaju Dr Olubisi Fasuyi.
The program also featured a brief presentation of gift by the Senior Citizens of Nigeria and cultural dance by the beneficiaries students of Ilesa Federal Technical School's Ijesa Community Development Assembly ICDA's scholarships.
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Distinguished dignitaries at the event included; Royal father of the day, HRH Oba Barr. Dr . Samson Adeleke Agunbiade Oke Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa; HRM, Oba Engr Olufemi Agunsoye, Chairman of the Planning Committee; Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, represented by Prof. Adeyinka Aderintan, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan; Bishop of Ijesa North Anglican Diocese, Ijebu-jesa Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Oluyamo; Representative of Prof. Taiwo Ashaolu, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilesa prof. Posi Aduroja; Yeyerise of Ilesa, Chief Mrs. Hannah Bolanle Ojo and the Yeyesogba and Prof Goke Olanrewaju, Representative of the Ijesa in the diaspora Mr. Feyi Tijani, Senior Citizens Association of Nigeria, (Olayinka Fasuyi is the Life Patron) Ijesaland Chapter Chairman Chief Bayo Igbaroola, Elder Dr. B. O. Oyadipe.
Other distinguished Ijesaland traditional rulers in attendance included; Oba Adedeji Babatunde, Adooko of Idooko, Oba Adeolu Adedoja, Olomo of Omo-Ijesa, HRM Oba Adeyemi Adediran, Owamiran of Esa-Oke, HRM Oba Dr Ojarotade Adewale, Alaa of Ilaa-Ijesa, Awaraja of Iwaraja, High Chief Saka Fapohunda, Ogboni of Ilesa, Chief Ajewole Yinka, Lorunyin of Okeyin, HRM Oba Adesina Ogunniyi, HRM Oba Olanibi Adedoja Rufus, Awikun of Iwikun-Ijesa and HRH Oba Sunday Ibironke Awaraja of Iwaraja-Ijesa.
Photos
Coverage Camera 📸 Credit: Oladimeji Lasore, +2347035105413, [email protected])
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