By: Dr. Dhikrullah Adewale Yagboyaju
IntroductionThe initial mixed feelings as to whether I could objectively write this chapter on Alhaji (Chief) Yisa Olasunkanmi Akanni Yagboyaju, were effectively addressed by Professor Siyan Oyeweso's insistence that as academics we should be able to set emotions aside in our ever increasing and demanding search for knowledge. Therefore, even as a child to Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju, I shall be objective as possible in writing this chapter on his life and times. This chapter has four main sections in which the life of Alhaji Yagboyaju will be explored. These are: childhood and formal education, adulthood and foray into commerce; philanthropism, Islamic propagation and focus on Muslim youths;and concluding remarks.
Childhood and Formal Education
Yisa Akanni was born on 30th June, 1933 in Ede, in the present day Osun State. His father, Pa Lawani Adejumo Yaagboyaaju was an illustrious and prosperous cocoa produce merchant whose business empire grew beyond Ede, his native town, to Edunabon, Moro, Ipetumodu, Asipa, Origbo and Ile-Ife, all in the present day Osun State. Yisa's mother, Abadatu Adepeju, who was one of the eight wives of Lawani Adejumo Yaagboyaaju, was blessed with four children but none except Yisa survived beyond the age of 3. This made Yisa Akanni the only child of his mother. It is on record that there was a very deep affection and love between Abadatu Adepeju and her only son, Yisa. It should also be noted that as a child, Yisa had series of health challenges, such that the mother was often afraid that her only son should not die before her.
Despite the anxiety, occasional illnesses and other health related issues, Yisa was enrolled for his elementary education at St. Peters Anglican Primary School, Ede. As a result of a combination of factors like his encounter with health challenges and the need to make the occasional business trips with his father and siblings, Yisa had to complete his elementary education in Origbo Community Primary School. Thereafter, he proceeded to the then Zik College, Sapele, where he could not go beyond the first academic term. This was largely as a result of the fact that his mother could not imagine that little Yisa would have to leave her for that long, especially when she was not sure of the fate of her only child in a "foreign" land. Apart from this, the business empire of his father suffered severe setback around this time and that meant insufficient funds for the whole family. He returned to Ede and did occasional casual jobs with the then Costain West Africa that built bridges, dams, and other physical infrastructures in Ede, Ido Osun, and few other neighbouring communities. He also engaged in such casual jobs at the railway station in Ede, where he and some others helped in the weighing of cocoa and other farm products.
Adulthood and Foray into CommerceNo doubt, Yisa Yagboyaju, as a young man was naturally endowed. He was not only among the best students throughout his school days, he was also his father's secretary and record keeper even when he had elder brothers. In addition, he was very inquisitive and restless. Sensing early in life, that there could be more challenging opportunities outside Ede, he requested his mother to discuss with relevant people who could help out. The mother, Abadatu Adepeju, discussed with her own younger sister, Asia Adepeola (the mother of Professor Laide Abass) who told her own husband, Pa Abass. It was the latter who took little Yisa along with him to Ibadan and secured the job of a clerical assistant for him in the business outfit of madam Raliatu Jadesola (an Ibadan based businesswoman of Ede origin) in 1952.
Over time Yisa Yagboyaju became the official representative and procurement clerk of madam Jadesola in different towns like Lagos, Kano, Onitcha, among several others. As he was doing this, young Yisa Yagboyaju also established new friendships and contacts that were so useful later in life. In 1954, he searched for his soulmate Afusatu Anike who had all along stayed with Yisa's parents in Ede. They were joined together ad husband and wife in that year. In 1955, Yisa Yagboyaju secured the approval of madam Jadesola to start his own small business. In no time, the small business grew and blossomed such that the name of the young merchant from Ede reverberated across Ibadan, Lagos and some other prominent towns in the then Western region. His father who was then advanced in age also sustained the respect and prestige for which the name Yaagboyaaju was known in Ede and its environs, particularly when he became the grand patron of the defunct NCNC in his immediate domain.
After the death of Pa Lawani Akanni Adejumo Yaagboyaaju in 1962, it became necessary for his children particularly Yisa and a few others outside Ede to re-establish their presence in the town. For Yisa, one of the ways to do this was by constructing houses. In 1966, he commissioned a residential building at Fashina compound and later in 1970, a commercial property on station road, Ede. It may be necessary to note that all along as Yisa Yagboyaju business thrived, he consistently assisted his friends, relatives and others who were in need at different points in time. Similarly, over time he married his other wives namely Muibat Asande (Late), Wulemot (Late) and Wasilat Bola.
More importantly, it occurred to Yisa Yagboyaju early on life that a better future can only be actualized particularly for the generality of Muslims who embraced the Western form of education through conscious and purposive efforts in capacity building. He identified the acquisition of Western form of education in addition to Arabic and Islamic education and passionately encouraged Muslim youths to embrace it.
Philanthropism, Islamic Propagation and Focus on Muslim Youths
Prior to 1976, when he single-handedly built a replica of the government prescribed block of classrooms at the permanent site of Ede Muslim Grammar School, Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju had engage in many silent contributions to the propagation of Islam. The donation of the block of classroom was quite symbolic. This was an unprecedented feat in the history of Ede, that a single individual will build and donate such a structure. In addition, the building, Yagboyaju block, the oldest permanent structure in the school today, and as one of the requirements by the government at that time, helped in the final approval for the commencement of the school. Remarkably, its probably also contributed to the superlative WAEC result of the school's first set of graduates in 1978.
At about the same time, he became actively involved in the activities of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN). Infact, in 2004 one MSSN marked its 50th year anniversary, it was reported that Alhaji Yagboyaju pioneered individual sponsorship of the Islamic Vacation Course (IVC), missionary campaigns and conferences. He also pioneered the sponsorship of Islamic programmes on TV and radio in the old Oyo state and some other parts of the defunct Western states. Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju also pioneered the printing of Islamic stickers.
He was the first single donor of buses to MSSN and NACOMYO.
For his support and commitment to the activities of MSS, he was appointed the grand patron to MSSN and a life trustee of the society. Similarly, he was at different times involved in the activities of NYBROSIS, Young Muslims Brothers And Sisters (YOUMBAS), The Muslim Congress (TMC), Nasril'lahi-il-fathi (NASFAT), QUAREEB and many other organizations whose founders were active members of the MSSN at one point or the other.
He championed the advocacy for Muslim judges and lawyers to conduct mosque services to herald the beginning of the legal year as against the joint church programme that was common in the past. He was appointed the grand patron of Nigerian Muslim Student in Kuwait, Egypt and North America in the early 1980s.
Apart from his activities among the Muslim youths which made him the "father" of tens of thousands of children. Alhaji Yagboyaju also helped in building mosques, Islamic mosques and hospitals in many places across Nigeria. He was installed the Asiwaju Odo Musulumi of Yorubaland by the league of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Edo and Delta state in 1986. He was the pioneer chairman Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in Oyo and Osun state. He was also a life member of NSCIA. He was honoured with a doctorate degree in Islamic religion by Bradley University in United State of America in 1994. He was the pioneer chairman Oyo State Muslim Council on 1989 and patron Muslim Corpers' Association on Nigeria (MCAN).
Also, he was installed Asiwaju Aare-ago of Ede in 1977. He was the national president Federal Council of Ede Descendant Union (FCEDU) between 1990-1998. He organized the first highly successful Ede day celebration 1993. He was one of the biggest supporters and financiers of the modern Ede Central Mosque.
As President of FCEDU, he laid the foundation and commenced the building of the new ultra-modern Ede Town Hall. Similarly, it should be noted that his single contribution to the effort which led to the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Ede, cannot be overemphasized.
The contributions by Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju to the development of Ede are not complete if his pioneering efforts as Commercial farmer are not mentioned. In 1982, he acquired over 200 acres of land, around L'oogun area (Ologobi), and employed about fifty indigenes of Ede as workers in the first commercial farm in the history of the town.
Perhaps, the greatest manifestations of the efforts of Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju in Islamic propagation which, incidentally, did not adversely affect his relationship with his numerous Christian friends and admirers, could be found in the kind of opinions that were expressed across the country after his death in March 2012. The different categories of people who expressed these opinions also speaks volumes. Part of these opinions shall be reproduced in the last section of these chapter.
ConclusionFrom all that have been reported in the preceding sections of this chapter about Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju, it can easily be said that he was particularly concerned with all his vigour because, according to him, "the youth are not only the hope of Nigeria and, more importantly, Muslim Ummah's future, they also have very fertile minds that could quickly imbibe positive lessons". Many opinions were expressed on Alhaji Yagboyaju's efforts in socio-eeconomic and religious activism. According to Femi Abbas, "the unassuming but genuinely great man, Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju was popularly known as "Baba Ewe" because of his love for Muslim youths"
To Alhaji Muhammed Sa'ad Abubakar lll, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju lived a life that was based on Islamic principles, despite his material wherewithal. For those who appreciate the values of discipline, Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju was also said to have set a footprint on the sands of time. Dr. Lateef Adegbite, Secretary General NSCIA and first President of MSSN observed that Yisa Yagboyaju was a frontline player in the struggle for unity on Nigeria, despite her multi-ethnic nature and secularity. Meanwhile, according to Dr. Abdullah Jibril Oyekan, former Director, Ministry of Petroleum, "it is a growing tribute to Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju that he made his name and established his name within Ummah".He also reminded us of some of the peraonal traits of Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju. According to him, the first features that one noticed about Alhaji were his compulsive neatness, simplicity and meticulous dressing style which portrayed him as a man of great respect. He also has a welcoming smile and a amiable character. All of these were said to be anchored on his strong faith in his belief.
For Prof. Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, Vice-Chacellor, University of Ilorin, Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju was a man, who through self-sacrifice raised the spirit of volunteerism in Yorubaland. Also, while Abubakar Mujahid Asari Dokubo, former Coordinator, NACOMYO, Rivers State observes that Alhaji Yagboyaju was one of the few Muslim leaders who dedicated all their endowments to the Deen without any strings attached. Kunle Sanni noted that he was a unique philanthropist who had many pioneering achievements such as sponsoring Islamic messages for free distribution, and donation of vehicles to Islamic groups, especially MSSN and NACOMYO. To Professor Noib Daud, the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), the death of Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju created a big vacuum in Islamic propagation in Nigeria. He consequently challenged the stakeholders in the field of da'wah to brace up to the challenges of Islamic propagation in the future.
The Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola described, Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju as a model for the righteous, whose contributions to Islamic activities, and philantropism were unparalleled in the South West of Nigeria. He declared that the late scholar was a trail brazier and lone ranger in Islamic propagation and nothing would be too much to immortalise him. The Governor however declared the donation of N10 million for the building of a chalet in memory of late Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju in Ibadan.
Today reminds us its been a year we lost a rare gem, may Allah (SWT) forgive his sins, make Aljanah firdaus his abode (Ameen) and may Allah continue to guide, guard and bless the Muslim Jamaah at large. Inna atainah.
