At 60, he has traversed life and virtually all fields of human endeavour. Be it journalism where he received his training and cut his teeth as one of the pioneer students of the department of mass communication of the Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta where he also displayed his dexterity as a footballer and organiser of men and resources. He still remains a socialite to the core.
‘Austin’, as the Giwa Bobagunte Akile Ijebu is often called by friends, colleagues and associate, has transverse the business world as as a budding entrepreneur aside from his training as a journalist, public relations and advertising practitioner.
Otunba Adesanya Yusuf, a hard working and God-motivated individual who embarked in several business exploits including furniture, agriculture and tourism related exploits has carved a niche for himself in spite of his humble background. Besides, he has during this past 60 years of his life dedicated it to giving the very best of his ability to humanity.
The ebony looking Yusuff, was born in May 1960 to Pa’ Abdullaih Kehinde Yusuff (a.K.a Balance Boy) and late Mrs. J.A. Yusuff.
His father was the son of late Pa’ Yusuff Odeniyi (aliases Baba Mamu, Baba Agosasa, etc on account of his voyage to these places as a businessman and cocoa trader), and late Princess Moriamo Yusuff (aliases Mama Warri, Mama Agosasa, Mama Mamu, and Mama Alaso on account of her textile business in these towns). His late paternal grandfather migrated from Esungbon to found Igboburo along with his other brothers including Shonibare and Lawal, who were all children of Odeniyi. The larger Odeniyi compound (Shonibare-Yusuff-Lawal) occupies a sizeable portion of Igboburo/Ntebo quarters of Ijebu Ode.
On the other hand , his paternal grandmother (late Princess Moriamo Yusuff) was the affectionate daughter of Prince Yeruwa Tunwase of Ishado Quarters. Prince Yeruwa was the son of Oba Adesimbo Tunwase, Arojo j’oye Adele tejiteji, the 49th Awujale. Princess Moriamo’s mother was the daughter of Eruobodo of Ntebo Quarters, very close to her husband’s expansive compound.
Otunba Yusuff attended St Andrews Primary School in Warri from 1965 – 1972 before moving to Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu Ode in 1973 taking his West African Certificate Examinations in 1977.
Otunba Yusuff, a keen and brilliant footballer in his days played was a goalkeeper for his primary, secondary and higher institutions before playing amateur football with NEPA Football club Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta respectively. He was popularly called “Austin Black” for his dexterity in commanding the goal area in his football playing days. The name “Austin Black” has stuck to him right from his football playing days at Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu Ode.
After his professional training in Mass Communication, he followed it up by attending various training and management courses in the United Kingdom in personal branding & first impressions, learning disabilities and autism, nonviolent crisis intervention, reporting and editing as well as hospitality and human resource management.
At various times, he served as cient services/media relations director in different advertising firms and general m7anager at Babwilloms Advertising. He moved on to start his own business, beginning with Pagent Furnishings and Interiors, Pagent Hotel and Suites in Egbeda, Lagos and Double Gee Spice and Grill Cuisine located inside Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode. Double Gee is a top niche restaurant serving Oriental, Continental and Local dishes and has an Outdoor Catering Unit. He is also the Chairman of Officion Corporate Services with interest in travel consult, conferences & events management, public relations, advertising & printing.
Otunba Yusuf is an excellent organiser, administrator, motivator and communicator with superb interpersonal skills. These traits are all evidenced by his role as leader (Giwa) of the Bobagunte (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu since its royal recognition and traditional blessings at the Heritage Hall, Afin Awujale on March 28, 1998 by Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, LLD, DCL, JP, Ogbagba II, Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland. He was installed as Otunba Bobaseilu of Ijebu by the Awujale on November 19th, 2017
Otunba Yusuff loves philanthropic works and through this supports the Eruobodo Home for Special Needs Children, GRA, Ijebu Ode. He is also a patron of RACO Child Care & Rural Initiative Orphanage Home, Itawo (near Odolewu) off Ijebu/Epe Road.
He is married to “Treasure” Olubusola Adesanya-Yusuf and blessed with Children.
One thing is clear, at 60, Otunba Yusuff, the Giwa Egbe Bobagunte Akile ljebu, does not look his age. He looks refreshingly young; as young as he was years ago when he started early his foray into all aspects of his entrepreneurial adventures especially to those who are fortunate to know him four decades ago. In everything he does, he remains in a class of his own.
Perhaps many of those who knew him will ask continually what is the secret of his youthful looks and disposition, which has endeared him to youths, friends and associates.
His reply,” I feel very elated and thankful to God the All-Knowing & Merciful for giving me the grace to attain the milestone of 60 years on planet earth. I consider it not just grace but exceeding grace.
“The trajectory of my life has taught me that integrity, humility and service to the people will submerge all obstacles and challenges that life might throw at you. Be consistent in doing good and give support to people especially the less privileged as much as you can and you will be fulfilled.”
As he turns 60, family, friends and associates share their thoughts about Yusuff who to them remains as constant as the northern star and a shinning example to budding youths to look up to in their life exploits.
(Dr) Adetunji Adeleke Oredipe, Senior Agriculture Economist, World Bank.
To a born leader and numero uno at 60
“It’s my pleasure to join friends, associates and other friends of Otunba Giwa Adesanya Yusuf in wishing him a happy 60th birthday. I met Otunba Giwa Adesanya Yusuf on joining the Egbe Bobagunte in his capacity as the Giwa.
He was quick to receive me with open hands and held me by hand through the on boarding exercise with adequate exposure to the historical lane of the Egbe. He was very open and has remained very transparent in our relationship. Our path even crossed further when I moved up the ladder in the Egbe to become the Secretary of Board of Trustee of the Egbe.
Otunba is a man of honour and well-endowed leader in his own right. He has built a reputation and unending passion for building capacity of people around him. He will stop at nothing in offering very useful advice and proffered solutions to issues affecting his followers. He knows the situation of every omo Egbe Bobagunte like the back of his palm.
You can see a match when you engage him in intellectual discussion. I make bold to say that Giwa Adesanya Yusuf is one leader in a million.
Giwa Adesanya Yusuff has earned my respect over the years and I have always enjoyed confiding in him on all issues even outside Egbe Bobagunte matters. He is always there, each time you call on him and that has helped to build and strengthened his relationship with all that encounter him.
What impressed me about Giwa Adesanya Yusuff is that he is brilliant in many respects. Some people are very clever, and you see their approach and methodology and you think, well, if I had all the time to devote to the project maybe I could have done that myself. Then there are people like Giwa, and you see his approach, and you think, there’s no way I would have thought of that if I’d spent all my life thinking on that project.
Those of us who had the good fortune to have first hand relationship with Giwa regard him not only as an exemplary Administrator but as a visionary and trailblazer whose initiatives put everyone around him on their toes. You do not find this unique attribute with many of his contemporaries in the larger society. Giwa Adesanya Yusuff is just in a world of his own.
My dear Otunba! I wish you the very best on this landmark and important occasion of your 60th birthday celebration. The interactions we have had have been rewarding for me and my family, and I hope for many more opportunities to relate even closer with you in the future.
I have always found a “pearl” in your words of wisdom. Your relationship, ethic and dedication towards betterment of what we do, and share have not gone unrecognized. You were and remain a reference point in my family, social and official life. Your humane disposition is second to none even as a great achiever.
You need to know that there have been a few special people I have come in contact with in my sojourn through life, and knowing them has given me insights into who I am.
“I am humbled to have you as one of them. To say that you were, and continue to be, one of the very reliable friends of my life is an understatement of the truth. You are always available and concerned and always willing to share your knowledge and have communicated countless wisdom through your counseling.
“I thank you for your brotherliness and your friendship, and I promise to write you another note on your 70th birthday.
Children:
Dear Dad,
“It’s really hard to find the right words to construct the perfect tribute you deserve, it is even harder to express how much you mean to us or quantify the joy you bring into our lives by just being our dad.
We are all elated and extremely proud of how far God has brought you and we seize this opportunity to remind you of how much we love and respect you daddy.
“Your smile, your patience, resilience, optimism, kindness, your support, your free spirit, your love have always been an example to us all. I know I speak for everyone of us, when I say we have learned and are still learning so much from you, along with the immense love, joy and happiness you bring into our lives.
“Thank you for being our first love, hero, teacher, father. Thank you for lighting our world with your overwhelming love, you are passionate about everyone and everything, you show us how to appreciate and respect what we have and give thanks regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves, your sense of humor is top notch and we do not take any of this for granted. You inspire us daily.
“So please permit us as we raise our glasses and say a big cheers to an amazing father. Happy 60th birthday dad. Love from us all. Oluwaseye, Oluwaseun, Damola, Oluwasayo, Oluwatoni, Oluwaseyi & Oluwaseni.
Wife:
Mrs Treasure Olubusola Adesanya-Yusuff’s Tribute
A husband, a father, a brother and a friend
Oh my God! What can I say in a few words about a man who is my world, my own essence? I definitely have a lot to say about my husband Otunba Yusuff but will try to summarise it as best as I can. Life sometimes deals out very hard knocks and when it does you look around for someone to lean on. At a time in my life, when I was at my lowest ebb after the loss of four (4) members of my immediate family, at a time when I definitely was not looking for love, after all, I was self-sufficient and able to provide for my every need I met this handsome man. God did actually have a plan for me, He turned my mourning into dancing and my sorrow into joy, He gave me a shoulder to lean on, a solid pillar for advice, laughter for tears and a hand to hold on to.
“He gave me a man who makes me laugh spontaneously; who sees the good in everyone he meets; who provides for my every need even when I am able to do things myself; a man who is a father like no other; a man who is upright, honourable, honest, steadfast and true to his word, a man of integrity and wisdom. He gave me Otunba (Giwa) Adesanya Yusuff.
I am truly blessed to be married to Otunba Adesanya Yusuff and I am proud to say he is my best friend. It is indeed an honour. The words “thank you” and “I love you” won’t do justice to the way I feel, so I will end this tribute with a prayer –
‘The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.’
Your Loving Wife,
Treasure Olubusola Adesanya-Yusuf
Olugbenga Odulaja,Legal practitioner and former SSA to Osun state Governor.
“Otunba “Austin” Adesanya Yusuf has been known to me for over a couple of decades ago, & I appreciate the consistency in his strength of character & sterling leadership qualities.
“He combines considerable global exposure with deep rooted understanding of the cultural traditions of the Ijebu Nation.
“Giwa Adesanya Yusuf employs the attributes of a good listener to consult widely before taking intellectually guided decisions, then proceed in putting all his energy on personal & leadership tasks that comes his way. Like a great sportsman that he was in his childhood days, he is always magnanimous in victory & takes less favourable results along his strides, in the spirit of sportsmanship, leveraging on it to renew his enthusiasm in readiness for the next available opportunity to perform.
“A contented human being without any arrogant frills around him, in spite of his enormous international & local goodwill. He mixes freely without discrimination with the poor & the rich, the young & the old. He is also an ardent believer in thei philosophy that investment in human capital yields the best dividends.
“It is remarkable that it has pleased God to bless him with a compassionate spouse & loving children striving to make their own marks in different fields of endeavour.
There is no doubt that his age group & the Awujale have observed some of these glaring qualities in him before recruiting him for the prominent roles he plays today.
“I consider him a great friend in good & bad times, A FRIEND FOR ALL SEASONS*.
Olatunde Abatan, publisher, Newdawnngr:
“As a friend, brother and mate, Otunba Adesanya Yusuff,is many things rolled into one.
Since we met over four decades ago, he has remained as consistent as his mien, outlook to life and a man imbued with a devotion and commitment to what he believes in.
“He has over the years nurtured and maintained a life- long commitment to his friendship.
“What else, can I say but to wish him the best life could offer with good health and greater exploits to further reveal the leadership talents God has endowed him with.
Congratulations on this epoch occasion from my family and I.
“That God in his abiding Grace, has used you to connect me with my wife of over two decades and the wonderful fruits God has bless us with is no coincidence.
“Once again,congratulations.Igba Odun, Odun kan ni.
Remain blessed.
