Tuesday 29 March 2016

Alhaji Yisa Yusuf aka YY, in Brief



Alhaji Olatayo Yisa Yusuf (YY) was born this day (March 28) in the year 1956 to Awele and Yussuf  Adeoye Ajiboye in Oke Apati, Oko – Ore, Omu- Aran Kwara State.

He started his early education in what is now known as Kindergarten/Reception in the year 1960 at Mosholasi Oja (Oju Oja) before commencing his Primary and Quranic education at an Islamic School described then as Kewu/Kewe. This he did until he set out for his first apprenticeship in Aisegba, Ekiti State.

He served his master dutifully till 1968 before he moved to Lagos in 1969  where  he continued  his Quranic/Primary  education at Ita Faaji, Lagos Island. While schooling  in Lagos he went into another apprenticeship where he learnt the nitty gritty  of trading with Ibrahim Ajimati. A native of Oro in Kwara state who was into the sale of eyes glasses. This he did from 1969 to 1972.

In 1972 he served his uncle Chief Ibrahim S. Ajiboye, Olowa of Omu- Aran who was a major distributor with NIPEN/CFAO. Chief Olowa was a major dealer of ball point pens. He spent three years with his uncle before he became independent. During this period, he grudgingly left for about three (3) months to sell 'guguru' i.e popcorn with Alhaja Nofi before returning to his uncle's business.

In 1975 he became self employed and commenced the business of selling pen at Oro Pedro in Dosunmu . He also developed  a passion for sports with particular interest in boxing and football. He was also well known to be a good goalie.  He established a football club and sponsored several young talents into professional football. Three of whom were successfully sponsored to international football clubs. Due to his sporting passion he started armature boxing at Alakoro where he engaged in boxing for two year. Then he was widely known as “Slender Adeoye".

While at Dosunmu he also started radio and cassette business. He later on opened a radio and cassette record shop at Amukoko in 1978. This he operated till 1980 before he moved to Agege through the help of a friend Alhaji (Chief) Sadu Owolewa who helped him to secure a space for his business.

With no money with him, his childhood friend Alhaji Olagbenjo Abdullahi came to his aid by connecting him to Kayode Bamgbola JP (J. Kayus) - also from his hometown who supported him by supplying  goods (hollow pipes) on credit to him from his shop at post office Mushin until 1982. Later on in that year (1982) when business activities declined, he joined Alhaji Lateef Jakande, whom he had craved to meet for a long time. Alhaji Jakande can be described as an “Uncle” and political mentor. There, his political journey started. He became a loyal follower of “Baba” who in turn instilled political discipline and education  in him . He remained with Baba in the United Party of Nigeria (UPN) until Baba Jakande left government following the coup that overthrew that government.

Consequently, he joined Sarumi's political group but later joined Sir Ayo Akinyemi/Rauf Aregbesola's group where he exhibited total commitment to the vision of Alimosho.

While in the Social Democratic Party, he was the Ward Chairman for Alimosho Ward C2. In 1999, he became the Assistant Publicity Secretary for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Alimosho Local Government and later Baba Oja under the administration of Sir Ayo Akinyemi (AA) between 1999 and 2002.

When the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu created 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State, he became the pioneer LGA (Party) Chairman for Mosan Okunola LCDA under the Action Congress in 2003.

He has successfully managed his plank/sawmill business with political activities.

YY, an acronym first used to call him by Chief Sarumi has come to stay for several years. He is currently one of the Apex Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Alimosho Federal Constituency with huge and diverse followership. He can best be described as "Adedibu" of Alimosho.

Alhaji Yisa Yusuf aka YY is  happily married with children and grand children.


Alhaji Yisa Yusuf as a Boxer

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