"There
are three kinds of people: Those who make things happen, those who watch things
happen, and those who ask, 'What happened?'" -- Casey Stengel
Exactly Six Years Ago, On
Saturday, 22nd October 2016 His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR LL.D the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler
of Ijesaland installed the duo of Olayinka Fasuyi and Dr Olubisi Fasuyi as
the First Asiwaju and Yeye Asiwaju of
Ilesa at a ceremony described by His Imperial Majesty as the first of its
kind in so many ways such as the title in the history of Ijesaland and also the
exceptionally large gathering of dignitaries from all walks of life which His
Majesty observed and remarked he had never witnessed in his 34 years on the
throne as at then.
Since assumption of office, as said in Latin;
Audentes fortuna iuvat
to mean fortune
favours the bold, indeed both Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi and Yeye Asiwaju Dr Olubisi Fasuyi have never left
anyone in doubt, especially in Ijesaland, as to the need to justify the huge
confidence reposed in them by this Cosmopolitan and urbane Ijesa Nation. Their
alacrity to stick to this course undoubtedly inspires the illustrious and
distinguished Ijesa to dream more, learn more, do more and make Ijesaland
become a haven of trailblazing society in the nation.
"The
very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an
uncertain trumpet." -Theodore M. Hesburgh
Highlights of few of the
strategic interventions of these International Management Consultants in transmuting
Ijesaland will certainly convince any doubting Thomas as to 'Whom the Caps of Asiwaju and Yeye Asiwaju
Fit'!
One, for
the sixth consecutive year, Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi Foundation (a foundation
fully owned and funded by the duo) has continued to pay the WAEC Fees of
Students from Secondary Schools from the six (6) LGAs in Ijesaland. Paid for 100 Students in 2017/2018; 200 Students in 2018/2019; 250 Students in 2019/2020; 310 Students in 2020/2021; 310 Students in 2021/2022; and set to
pay for 435 Students in 2022/2023 in
a month's time. Their passion for scholastic
progression among the young people is monumental. Even where some highly
placed individuals had erroneously thought that the Asiwaju had embarked on
this humanitarian mission for future political objective and ambition, Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi has successfully proved such minds wrong by staying apolitical in his six years in office to
prove a point that Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi is fond of sermonizing that ‘You do not necessarily have to be in
politics to serve your community!’ And neither should anyone desire a gain
to offer sustainable selfless services to his community! Our parents successfully pioneered this inherently
idealized iculture of self-help
community-driven development with the establishment of Ilesa Grammar School
and Obokun High School through Egbe Atunluse Ile-Ijesa.
-There's
no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.-
MARGARET J. WHEATLEY
Two, Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi stoutly rose as a leader of
trust and confidence to remove and terminate the embarrassment caused the
whole of Ijesaland in March/April/May
2019 when the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) disconnected
Ijesaland from the National Electricity Grid due to the IBEDC/Ijesaland
imbroglio then. The IBEDC Top Management confirmed that it takes a minimum of 5
to 6 years for them to restore Electricity supply to communities where they
encountered such massive destruction of its infrastructure and equipment. Our
reliable and tested Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi
championed the reconnection in 3 months to restore socioeconomic activities
back to Ijesaland.
Three, to describe Ijesaland as a Sub-Nation within a Nation is
never an exaggeration. Ijesaland parades one of the most sophisticated,
exposed, and enterprising Human Capital in this country, Nigeria and heavily
populated with numerous communities with basic infrastructure of life. Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi observed in the
course of his relating with the various communities in Ijesaland that there was
still a relationship gap amongst many of the Ijesa Communities. And for us to
progress, grow, and develop as a people there's the need for us to come
together because therein lies our strength in Ijesaland. With the blessing of
His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Gabriel
Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, LL.D, Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi initiated and organised the first and second UNITY meetings of
All Our Royal Majesties and Traditional Rulers in Ijesaland. First meeting held
at Ifewara in March 2020 and the second meeting was held at Ijebu-jesa in
November 2020. It is significant to report that some of our Royal Fathers in
Ijesaland were meeting each other for the first time at these meetings. The
credit for improved Unity and inter-communities cordial relationship that we
are currently enjoying in Ijesaland today partly goes to Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi for his initiative. He strongly affirms the
word of Woodrow T. Wilson that; ‘We cannot be
separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end’. This
irrefutably significant effort has set the path for tranquility that was alien
to peaceful and mutual co-habitation in the land.
Four, when Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi was being installed
on Saturday, 16th October 2016, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, LL.D the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of
Ijesaland threw two critical challenges at his new Chief. First, was to
build a befitting modern Palace for him. The Kabiyesi lamented on the failure
of the previous two attempts to build a new befitting Palace to replace the old
burnt Palace. His Imperial Majesty must have premised his desire on the agelong
adage that says "Ile Oba t'ojo ewa l'obusi"
His Imperial Majesty, probably
acting on spiritual instincts, therefore went ahead to plead with Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi to build a modern
Palace befitting the Super-First Class Status of Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland. The second
challenge Kabiyesi threw at Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi was to get a University for Ilesa. His Imperial
Majesty may have also probably made this request looking at the array of
high-networth Nigerians from the Political Class; Business Monguls; Top
Academia; and Top Military Chieftains in attendance at the installation
ceremony.
‘An
individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines
of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.’- Martin
Luther King
Three years after installation, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, after conceiving
the Palace idea and the strategy on how to mobilise funds for the new
Ultra-modern Palace construction, sought an audience with the Kabiyesi, His
Imperial Majesty on Saturday, 14th
December 2019 where Asiwaju Yinka
Fasuyi comprehensively briefed Kabiyesi Owa Obokun Adimula on the proposed
New Palace Plans, Design, Initial Financial Target, and Funds Mobilisation
Strategy. This served as the starting point for bringing age-long prophecies to
pass for posterity to appreciate. ‘The
smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. –Oscar
Wilde’
His Imperial Majesty expressed
his fears to Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi as
to whether Ijesas would be willing to further contribute fresh donations again
towards building of a new Palace, after two previous failed attempts and
donations realised wasted. In return, the Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi promised and assured His Imperial Majesty that he will stake
his integrity and operate a judicious, transparent, and accountable resource
mobilisation and utilisation that would command the respect and confidence of
all stakeholders in Ijesaland. With this convincing Plans of Intent and
Strategy, His Imperial Majesty prayed for Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi and wished him success in the herculean task.
“If
you have a dream, don’t just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can
succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.” -Dr Roopleen-
On Sunday, 15th December 2019, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi invited few select
Ijesa Stakeholders to his Ilesa residence where he shared and unfolded his
thoughts, plans, and strategies on the construction of the new Ultra-modern
Palace. Alas, an architectural piece, Ultra-modern Palace was built from the
scratch, furnished and delivered in a record time of nine (9) months- an exploit that was thought improbable
considering the economic reality of the time. The level of financial
prudency exhibited is arguably unprecedented in the annal of public infrastructure construction. For instance, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi got the
Professional services of the Architect, Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers,
Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Quantity Surveyor pro bono, free of
charge, totally cost-free to Ijesaland both in the entire project design and
monitoring and supervision throughout the nine months of construction. At the
successful completion of the Palace, Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi and his team left a whopping sum of N36,000,000 (Thirty-six Million Naira) only
un-utilised as savings towards another project.
History shall forever remain
kind to Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi for
honouring His Imperial Majesty with his heart desires of a new befitting Palace
requested of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi
during his installation on Saturday, 16th October 2016; for making Ijesa proud
with the sole-initiation, and championing of the construction of the most beautiful
and elegant Palace in Nigeria. He strongly believes that ‘The true mark of a leader is the willingness to stick with a bold course of
action’
Ever
grateful to the Project Management
Team(PMT) under the leadership of Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi. Other wonderful PMT members were Prince Lowo Adebiyi, Engr Busayo
Aluko, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, and Chief (Mrs) Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo. Project Monitoring and Evaluation Committee
(PMEC) under the indefatigable headship of Mr (Engr) Iyiola Faniyi. Other distinguished PMEC members were Her
Excellency, Erelu Olusola Agbeja-Obada,
Engr Yemi Oguntominiyi, Alhaji Lateef
Bakare, Engr Bola Olowe, Rt. Hon Timothy
Owoeye, and Engr Olusegun Okebiorun. And of course, all distinguished Ijesa
Elders, Sons, Daughters both at home and in the diaspora who contributed
selflessly to the delivery of the Ultra-modern Palace of Owa Obokun Adimula and
Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland. The wholesome support of Baba Sawe, Chief Akinwande Akinola in the Palace
project is also appreciated. As opined by Paulo Coelho “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the
fear of failure.” Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi never gave in to
discouragement; neither did he allow the seemingly difficult situation in the nation
at the moment to deter him from encouraging the selfless team from achieving
the goal.
The icing on the cake for the Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi and Yeye Asiwaju Dr
Olubisi Fasuyi on the Palace Project was the enthusiasm, jubilation, and
euphoria from all that witnessed the Commissioning of the Ultra-modern Palace
when His Imperial Majesty in the presence of mammoth eminent audience
enthusiastically pronounced the recognition and elevation of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi and Yeye Asiwaju Dr
Olubisi Fasuyi to the new status of Asiwaju
and Yeye Asiwaju of the entire Ijesaland in the presence of all Traditional
Rulers in Ijesaland.
"In
the face of leadership flaws, too many people assume cynical perspectives,
rather than do the hard work of building relationships in which they can have
more positive influence."- Ira Chaleff-
Five,
Ijesaland is renownedly blessed with one of the largest deposits of Mining
resources such as gold, gemstones, limestone, gravel in Nigeria. With this
blessing also comes attendant environmental threats and challenges. The
situation in Zamfara State of Nigeria today is a good example of how a natural
endowment could turn out to be a monumental curse to a community when adequate
attention is not given to the human, health, and environmental hazards
associated with mining of these resources.
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The need to prevent Ijesaland
from being turned into another Zamfara State with unguarded and unorthodox
mining practices and processes with attendant human life threatening
implications informed the initiative of Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi to assemble a Think-tank Committee on Thursday, 14th May 2020
under the name IJESA MINING RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT FORUM (IMRDF) to champion
Enlightenment and Advocacy on Environmentally Safe Mining Processes across all
communities in the six LGAs of Ijesaland. The tonnes of awareness created has
largely prevented Ijesaland from becoming another mining death zone similar to
what happened in some parts of South South of Nigeria. Currently, the IMRDF has
investigated and discovered some water polluting mining activities in Ijesaland
that it will soon bring to the notice of stakeholders for address.
"Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change world.
Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. " - Margaret Mead
Six, the global COVID-19 pandemic
which started from China in 2019 and eventually spread to Nigeria in March 2020
brought unprecedented health challenges to all human beings across the world
with more casualties occurring in the elderly members of the society. Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi was guided by the
consciousness that Healthy citizens are
the greatest asset any society can have. And knowing fully well that “Happiness lies first of all in health”.
Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi in response to this challenge initiated the
establishment of IJESA HEALTH IS WEALTH
PROJECT in January 2021 which gave birth to the construction of the largest
community-funded project in Nigeria in the N1Billion
(One Billion Naira) Ijesaland
Geriatric Centre, which was constructed in 10 months and commissioned on
Thursday, 31st March 2022.
Special thanks to the Project Management Team (PMT) under the
leadership of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi. Other
PMT members were Prince (Revd) Lowo
Adebiyi; Mr Wale Idowu; Chief Afolabi Igbaroola; Engr Busayo Aluko; and Chief
(Mrs) Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo.
The Project Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) under the headship of Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole. Other PTAC
members were Prof Oyewusi Gureje; Prof Abiodun Ilesanmi; Dr Femi Olowookere;
and Dr. (Col) Akin Moses.
The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (PMEC) under the
headship of Alhaji Lateef Bakare.
Other PMEC members were Her Excellency, Erelu
Olusola Agbeja-Obada; Mr Iyiola Faniyi; Engr Yemi Oguntominiyi; Engr Bola
Olowe; Rt. Hon Timothy Owoeye; and Engr Olusegun Okebiorun.
Gratitude
again to all patriotic Ijesa Elders, Sons, and Daughters both at home and in
the diaspora who donated generously towards the accomplishment of this largest
Geriatric Centre in West Africa, the second of its kind in Nigeria. And to
Ijesa Patriots in the diaspora especially Chief Abayomi Komolafe and Mrs Yemisi
Iyanda for facilitating Medical equipment donations and shipment from MedShare
in the USA. It is expedient on a clearer term to
note that ‘no Kobo of the Project was
ever expended or disbursed without the express consent of the oversight
committee and also the final consent of the whole house.’ This astute management model elicited
accolades not just within the country but outside.
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"Great
things happen nationally when topmost leadership is goaded and supported from
below." - John W. Gardner-
Seven, the
delivery of the most heart desiring need of Ijesaland in the upgrading of the
44-year old Osun State College of Education to a full-fledged University in
University of Ilesa. Credit goes to all prominent societies in Ijesaland and
eminent individuals who started this lobby for the upgrade of the College to a
University under the previous sixteen different Administrations preceeding the
Administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi initiated the lobby for this College upgrade
under the listening, and Ijesa-friendly Administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola which he started with his one-on-one
meeting with His Excellency, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Wednesday, 10th
April 2019 held at the Governor's office.
READ ALSO: READ ASIWAJU YINKA FASUYI'S REACTION AS GBOYEGA OYETOLA SIGNS ILESA UNIVERSITY BILL INTO LAW
"Always
do right. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest."- Mark Twain-
And on Tuesday, 27th September
2022, His Excellency, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola historically signed the University
of Ilesa Bill into Law.
We shall remain eternally
grateful to His Excellency, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for doing Ijesa proud
with this singular but monumental institution.
Appreciation similarly goes to
His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Gabriel
Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR LL.D; Dr Charles 'Diji Akinola; Rt. Hon Timothy
Oludiji Owoeye: Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole; Chief Akinwande Akinola; Late Prof
Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe; Dr Olowogboyega
Oyebade; Prof Rotimi Tayo; Prof Duro Oni; Alhaji Lateef Bakare; Prof
Kola Kazeem; Chief (Mrs) Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo; Mr Supo Shadiya; Mr Olaniran
Olayinka; Mr Remi Oyeyemi; our eminent Royal Fathers in Ijesaland; leadership
of Pan-Ijesa Societies; and the Indefatigable University of Ilesa
Implementation Committee under the able leadership of Prof Olu Aina whose various invaluable contributions made this agelong
dream turned into reality.
Eight, Our
Youths are not only our Treasure but also remains our assets, hope, and future
in Ijesaland. The need to kick-start the sustainable development of our Youths
in Ijesaland informed the conceiving and hosting of a maiden Consultative
meeting with the leadership of Ijesa Youths Forum (IYF) by Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi
on Wednesday, 7th September 2022 at his Ilesa residence. A meeting well
attended by our esteemed Traditional Rulers in Ijesaland who endorsed the
meeting and respectively promised with donations of lands in their respective
jurisdiction for the use of the Youths in their various agricultural related
enterprises.
"Leadership
is the creation of an environment in which others are able to self-actualize in
the process of completing the job."
- John Mellecker-
Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi followed up
with the conception of IJESA YOUTHS
DEVELOPMENT FUND for Ijesa Youth Forum (IYF)
to drive their development fund mobilisation for their members. Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi went further to
pledge a donation of seed money of N2Million
into each of the 6 LGAs in Ijesaland totalling N12Million.
It is heartwarming to report that Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi honourably redeemed his pledge three days ago with a payment
of N12Million into the purse of Ijesa Youths Forum (IYF) towards
prosecuting the various business projects of their members and with the hope
that the leadership of IYF would be able to leverage on this seed fund donated
to reach out to other stakeholders in Ijesaland and beyond to solicit for more
financial support for its Empowerment program.
And in order for the Ijesa
Youths Forum (IYF) to have a solid and meaningful presence and membership in
all the six LGAs of Ijesaland, Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi has also picked 100% of the cost submitted by Ijesa Youth Forum
(IYF) to him to expend in mobilising a minimum of 500 Youth Members in each of
the 6 LGAs, totalling a minimum of 3,000 at the completion of the exercise. Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi on youth
empowerment is rooted in the words of Henry George "Let no man imagine that he has no influence. Whoever he may be,
and wherever he may be placed, the man who thinks becomes a light and a power’.
This is the force of ignition that would redefine the future of Ijesaland.
In order to ensure that all the
financial contribution made by stakeholders goes fully towards the development
of Ijesa Youths Business Enterprises and no amount is diverted to
administrative or logistics purposes, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi has further given an
undertaking to support the Ijesa Youths Forum (IYF) with a monthly Secretariat
Imprest of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) only monthly for the next twelve months. The
Secretariat Imprest for the November 2022 has similarly been paid by Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi into Ijesa Youth Forum
(IYF) account.
"All
that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development
accorded the individual."- Albert Einstein
Our debt of gratitude goes to
Our Royal Majesties, Oba(Engr) Moses
Olufemi Agunsoye, the Elegboro of Ijebu-jesa; Oba Adeleke Agunbiade, the
Ajalaiye of Ipetu-Ijesa; Oba Omisade Agboluaje, the Oloja of Ibodi; Oba Jethro
Adejola, the Olosu of Osu; Oba Hakeem Ogungbamgbe, the Owaloko of Iloko-ijesa;
Oba Festus Awogboro, the Alademure of Ibokun; and Oba Isaiah Olusegun Adedeji,
the Tirimi of Iperindo for volunteering to donate land for the use of the
Youths of Ijesaland.
Appreciation also goes to the
Body of Mentors established by Asiwaju
Yinka Fasuyi to provide technical support to the Business Enterprises of
Ijesa Youths Forum, namely, Elder Dare
Ogunsumi; Dr (Engr) K. A. Yusuf; Dr Felix O. Idowu; Mr Oluseyi Adigun; Dr
Gbolabo Oni; and Mr Tomiwa Aladekomo.
This is to on behalf of all Sons
and Daughters of Ijesaland both at home and in the diaspora heartily
congratulate the First Asiwaju and Yeye
Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Asiwaju Yinka
Fasuyi and Yeye Asiwaju Dr Olubisi
Fasuyi for clocking six years in office and to continue to wish them
continuous God's grace and blessings in the many more years and decades of
selfless service to humanity in general and Ijesaland in particular.
"Make
sure you're not just waiting for someone else to fix things, or hoping that
things will improve...Figure out what's going on and make a plan to improve
things” -- Kenneth W. Thomas
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