With a heart full of gratitude, I rise to honour my dearly beloved husband, Asiwaju Olayinka Ayinla Fasuyi, Ayinla, oko Segi. A man whose 70 years on earth have been richly adorned with purpose, passion, and tireless service
This celebration is far more than a commemoration of age; it is a profound recognition of a life lived with integrity, compassion, and deep commitment to family and community.
Olayinka, the imprint of your life goes far beyond our family. Through your generosity of spirit and unwavering dedication to excellence, you have touched countless lives. Your
enduring love for ljesaland has etched your name in hearts and histories. Your life will continue to speak in actions, in values, and in the legacy you are steadily building.
Asiwaju Olayinka Gabriel Fasuyi stands tall among the finest sons of ljesaland. You carry your heritage with dignity, adorning Yoruba attire with such regal pride. You have not only honoured the name of Baba Jacob Olowookere Fasuyi, you have elevated the Fasuyi legacy through your contributions to the progress of ljesaland, your steadfast values, and your impeccable character.
Life with you has been a journey filled with laughter, lessons, shared dreams, and mutual growth. When we first met in 1986, I did not fully foresee the incredible path that lay ahead. In the beginning, despite your warmth and expressive nature, I considered you, dare I say,
too traditional for the Mills & Boon-fueled romantic dreams I had. I longed for roses,
poetic serenades, and courtship laced with Shakespearean drama. You, on the other hand, were the no-frills ljesa man, pragmatic, grounded, and real.
My elder sister, the ever-wise Olusola Olanrewaju, saw what I did not. When I protested, "But he doesn't even have a car!" she simply asked, “Are you planning to be a housewife? Don't you intend to make your own money?" When I complained about your plain spoken
approach to Queen's English, she didn't even dignify the comment with a reply. She saw the man. eventually, so did I.
In time, I discovered that romance does not always wear the cloak of roses or scripted lines. Sometimes, it is having a two-man party and dancing quietly or loudly to Ebenezer Obey tunes in our living room, into the ear
Sometimes, Romance wears your famous «slidin d side by side with our children
steps" still my favourite , the teasing " or
oge tita, and the ability to laugh, correct, tease, and talk for hours without offense.
Romance became our private conversations, our unfiltered reflections at midnight. Your ability to tell me the minutest details of your day, who you saw, what you did (except the information that you couldn't or wouldn't dare to share wink).
I remember once visiting our late patriarch, Chief Banjo Fasuyi. A gentleman stopped by, and I instantly recognized him from your earlier visit. Daddy, startled, asked, “How did you
know he came during Yinka's last visit?" I said, “Yinka told me." Daddy paused, then said, almost in disbelief, You mean he actually narrated all of that to you? Mi mo pe Yinka homely to yen ooo, really, ko jo wa rara, no wonder, he has only one wife and you two sometimes act like newly weds!"
Asiwaju... Na man you be! You have always walked tall in your own truth-confident, humble, principled.
When I was tempted to abandon my PhD journey, you stood your ground and insisted that I finish. This was despite already having three postgraduate degrees yourself, none of which was a PhD. That singular decision speaks volumes in a society where patriarchy often suffocates possibility. You showed strength not in dominance, but in support, in valuing my aspirations without insecurity. I know marriages that crumbled under the yoke of similar ambition but you? You rode above ego. You made it clear, through word and deed, that empowering your wife in no way diminished your stature. You corrected anyone who called us “Dr. and Mrs. Fasuyi" -always insisting it was “Mr. and Dr. (Mrs,) Fasuyi." Some later tried to 'upgrade' it to Chief and Dr. (Mrs), but you held your ground, proudly calling yourself "oko omowe." You were proud of me, genuinely proud.
I recall a client once said, right in front of you, I had delivered a session even
better than you ever had. Without missing a beat, you smiled and said, “Of course, my wife is very smart." No sarcasm, no undercutting, just grace. I may not have agreed with the assessment, but I was overjoyed by your ease and pride in my moment.
You are comfortable in your skin, sure of your worth, and remarkably open to feedback even my unsolicited commentary, which you rarely rebuff. You have always been my protector. You made it known that no one was allowed to ruffle my feathers but you. I have seen you hold your peace when personally offended, yet react swiftly and firmly when anyone, friend or stranger, crossed the line with me.
I remember that event where the MC showered you with accolades and introduced me simply as “his beautiful wife." You were livid. I heard you mutter under your breath, "Beautiful wife? That's all he could say?" The universe must have agreed with you, because moments later, the President of the association, sitting far away and without hearing your comment, took the microphone and corrected the oversight. She introduced me in the very
manner you believed I deserved. The look of pride on your face glowed so brightly, it lit up my heart.
Even our children are not spared. Whenever I am away on Omugwo duty, you remind them, half-playfully, half-sternly: “My wife is not your maid. Do your chores and treat her with the utmost respect." You once had a formal sit-down with one of our sons on this. You didn't just talk about love and honour; you modelled it.
Ayinla mi, watching you draw closer to God brings me so much joy. I remember Mama Sijuwola's fervent prayers that your walk with God would deepen. Today, I see her prayers answered in full. Your ability to prioritize Thanksgiving over and beyond requests during prayer sessions and also believe that God hears you when you pray, even when there is no immediate evidence, is a gift many Christians need to emulate.
Together, we have traversed rocky paths, we have stumbled, tripped, climbed, and soared. And through it all, we climbed together, with Christ in our boat, and intentionality in our steps.
At work and at home, you are my Oga at the Top. While I often need to consult books and journals to prepare a presentation, you discuss what you have in mind with me, take your phone and effortlessly type out 10 pages of articulate thought no Google, no notes. Your memory is razor-sharp. Your speeches often flow extempore. Your writing spans topics with ease. I am constantly amazed by the quality of the Terms of Reference (TOR) you draft.
Many have been praised by legal experts as near-perfect, and this is just as a result of the knowledge you gleaned in an MBA class years ago. You truly embody excellence.
One of your friends, after working with you on a project, said: “Asiwaju, we only saw the fashion icon. That, my dear, is the beautiful duality of you. As a father, you did not merely teach values, you lived them. You built Supreme Management Training and Consultancy Services and Ibadan Business School through hard
work, tenacity and sacrifices that the children witnessed, thus, modeling what discipline, perseverance, and integrity can achieve.
A moment that touched me deeply was during an online church service with our son, Olatipe. The pastor encouraged members to send a gift to someone they admire and hope to emulate. The chat box was filled with requests on how to get the account details of celebrities and influencers. Later in the day, Olatipe asked me for your account number. That small act, to me, was proof that you are building a legacy not just in the public eye, but in the heart of your child.
You are also the quintessential "steeze dad", the style icon, master of banter, and the dancing dad who lights up every room. The "knuckle- squeezing" and “head-tapping" exercise, and the story-telling cannot easily be forgotten and are referenced during conversations.
As Grandpa, you wear the title with grace, joy, and pride, always ready to play with the grandchildren.
In civic spaces, you lead with courage and compassion, Your dreams, which once frightened me with their size, are always backed by strategy and tireless execution.
Your Asiwaju of Ijesaland title is not just ceremonial; it is a daily call to duty. You embody it with honour. I take great pride in sharing the milestones of ljesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA) under your leadership. In my facilitation sessions, especially with development professionals, I cite your community-driven impact as proof that real, grassroots change is.possible, beyond donor funds and government policies. Your work has inspired others to
launch initiatives in their hometowns, and this ripple effect is part of your legacy.
The ljesaland Development Agenda is no longer just a plan, it is a movement. A model.
Olayinka Ayinla Fasuyi, your role in achieving this great feat will always be celebrated. Your legacy is not only etched in stone but carried in hearts, woven into memories, and immortalized in the many lives you have touched.
I have seen, and I testify: You are a movement. You are a legacy in motion.
"Eni tí yóò bá pègàn Åjànàkú ni so pe, mórí nkan firi: Ajànàkú kọjáa mọ rí nkan firi. Bi a bá rí erin, ká pè é rí erin."
I see you, my elephant among men. And I rise to celebrate you, today and always.
I join others to acknowledge an elephant that walks among us gracefully, boldly and intentionally.
An elephant that carries wisdom on its back,
That tramples mediocrity underfoot,
That leads with honour, walks with courage,
And builds where others only dream.
So I rise, not only as your wife,
But as a witness to your greatness,
A custodian of your story.
Baba 70, Olowo ori Olubisi, Ayinla oko Segi.
You are deeply loved.
You are eternally celebrated.
This new chapter will bring us, as a family greater impact and unending joy. It will also bring unshakable peace, prosperity, abundant blessings, divine health, and long life.
The zenith of our achievement will be the starting point for our children. The lineage of Olayinka and Olubisi Fasuyi is blessed beyond what we could wish or ask for in Jesus' mighty name.
Gloryyyyyyyyyyyy! Halleluyah!
Signed:
Chief (Mrs.) Olubisi Fasuyi, PhD
Yeye Asiwaju of ljesaland
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