.jpg)
About 31 years ago (Circa 1994), I had met Asiwaju's younger brother-The Late Araba Dejo Fasuyi through my brother-in-law - Olaniyi Komolafe who happened to be The Late Araba's childhood friend.
Once in a while, I used to stop by his office when I am around lkeja. During one of such calls, he had introduced me to his older brother -Egbon Yinka who was visiting the Lagos office of his Supreme Management Training and Consultancy Services Limited in lkeja. Supreme's Head Office was (and still is) based in Bodija Estate, Ibadan.
Fast forward to 1998. I was a member of a Team of Consultants from Coopers & Lybrands (now PWC) that made a presentation to a Ministry in ibadan, Oyo State on a World Bank- Assisted Water project Consultancy Contract. While waiting at the reception for our team to be called in, I saw the then Mr Fasuyi with his team also waiting for the same pitch. He didn't recognize me so I professionally avoided re-introducing myself to him.
About some weeks later, against our expectations that we would nick the consultancy contract being an International firm with excellent pedigree and, more importantly, top- notch quality of our presentation, we were informed that The selection Panel had awarded the contract to Egbon Fasuyi's Supreme Management.
It was from that moment I knew that Supreme Management would go places. He had outwitted all other competitors by deploying street sense' as the cutting-edge in clinching the huge consultancy contract! As the saying goes "do you gerrit? If you don't gerrit then forget about it"
The success story of Supreme Management Training and Consultancy Services Limited over the years later birthed Ibadan Business School -a testament to Asiwaju's business acumen.
It wasn't until the year 2007 when I got redeployed to South West Nigeria as Regional Director of United Bank for Africa Plc with my office in lbadan that i sought audience at his Bodija office and formally introduced myself to him not only as the Regional Director of UBA plc in lbadan and a fellow ljesa man, but also a younger brother to his friend - Professor Abel ldowu Olayinka of the University of ibadan. From that moment in 2007 till today, he has "adopted" me as his own younger brother.
Asiwaju Fasuyi is kind-hearted and has a special aura of being a likeable personality. He speaks the truth at all times not minding whose ox is gored. When my brother - Professor Olayinka was elected The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, University of ibadan in 2010, Asiwaju invited me to his office and issued a cheque of N250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) which was then an equivalent of $2000 (Two Thousand Dollars) being his financial contribution towards any planned celebration of the appointment.
When I met with my brother the following day and, for certain considerations, we decided not to have any loud party to celebrate the achievement, I went back to Asiwaju and explained our.thoughts against any partying arrangement. It took a lot of convincing before he agreed with the reasons I adduced to justify our decision not to stage any party. I then pulled the cheque he had written Five years later in 2015 when my brother was appointed the 11th Vice Chancellor of The University of lbadan, I am aware he gave him some cash gift. That's Asiwaju for you.
In all the community projects executed by the notable ljesa Community Development Assembly (1CDA) under his leadership as Chairman commencing with the multi-milion Naira ultra-modern palace for The Owa Obokun Adimula of ljesaland, The ljesa Geriatric Center, The Health Insurance Scheme for the elders, and the Scholarship for ljesa students at the llesa Government Technical College, he exhibited uncommon leadership, accountability, honesty, decency rectitude, and patriotism.
The rigors he puts into arriving at impactful projects that will be beneficial to the community as well as the ease with which he mobilizes others in releasing required funding for the projects speak to his intellect and the trust people repose in his leadership.
On a personal note, Asiwaju has had.to mediate on two steep disagreements involving my brother - Professor ldowu Olayinka and another prominent figure in the society. On each of these issues, he was forthright and objective. He is someone whose counsel I embrace without any iota of suspicion. Asiwaju Fasuyi is a quintessential Afenifere and Alajobi.
As much as this tribute is to mark Asiwaju's 70th Birthday celebrations, it is important to celebrate his wife - Yeye Asiwaju Dr (Mrs) Olubisi Fasuyi who has been of immeasurable companionship to her husband. We celebrate Yeye Asiwaju for the peace of mind at home that allows Asiwaju the time and resources he devotes to elevating the narratives in the development of our ljesa homeland.
As Asiwaju marks his 70th Birthday today, my wife - Barrister (Mrs.) Olayinka and I wish the entire Fasuyi Dynasty a Happy celebrations. We pray that the years ahead shall continue to be kind to Asiwaju Fasuyi and his family as he continues to be of service to his family and ljesaland.
Signed:
Olaniran Olayinka, FCIB, MloD
.png)
.png)
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment