ASIWAJU YINKA MAFE LEGACIES LIVES ON...
In 2011 when I was starting Brown Button Foundation, I sent Facebook inbox messages to several lawmakers in Ogun State about my plans to make childbirth safer for mothers and their babies.
Only one person responded.
That person was Asiwaju Yinka Mafe.
A lawyer himself, turned politician, he gave me my first opportunity to implement my ideas and used all apparatus he had to ensure we had a successful pilot and program. We went on to run other programs around maternal and child health for him in his constituency.
I never knew this man from anywhere. I simply just connected with him on Facebook, shared my ideas on maternal health and he gave me a platform in his constituency to implement my ideas.
Two days ago, 4th of February 2020, Asiwaju Mafe clocked 46 years old. He, sadly, died on the same day while his birthday celebration was ongoing.
I’ve always wondered why this man responded to my inbox message. Why he gave me the opportunities he did using his own resources, why he was so passionate about maternal health and why he would, always, continually support my work for mothers.
Well, today I found my answers.
Asiwaju’s mother died at childbirth, on the same day he was born and now the same day he died. He never knew his mother, went through life without her and would do anything to make sure others did not suffer the same fate as he did.
As planning for his burial continues, if there’s anything I’m happy about in these sad times, it is the fact that he died knowing I appreciated every support he gave me as a person and the organization I run. Every opportunity I’ve had to share my story, I have consistently talked about Asiwaju and every other person who supported me to be who I am today.
Two lessons here:
1.You need something? You want a connect? Tell your story and ask! You never know what will connect to the person you are asking. Everyone has a personal journey they are undertaking that you know nothing about.
2.Celebrate people when they are alive. Do not wait for them to die before you start writing beautiful word about them. Today, I still went back to read several messages Asiwaju sent me thanking me for celebrating him and telling me of how he received calls from people who heard me speak about him.
Don’t just use and dump people then claim God when people ask you to share your success story. God did not come down from heaven, he used people. Celebrate those that have helped you while they are alive.
On a final note, I say, journey well Asiwaju Yinka Mafe.
You fought a good fight...
*Adepeju Jaiyeoba
Brown Button Foundation *
Only one person responded.
That person was Asiwaju Yinka Mafe.
A lawyer himself, turned politician, he gave me my first opportunity to implement my ideas and used all apparatus he had to ensure we had a successful pilot and program. We went on to run other programs around maternal and child health for him in his constituency.
I never knew this man from anywhere. I simply just connected with him on Facebook, shared my ideas on maternal health and he gave me a platform in his constituency to implement my ideas.
Two days ago, 4th of February 2020, Asiwaju Mafe clocked 46 years old. He, sadly, died on the same day while his birthday celebration was ongoing.
I’ve always wondered why this man responded to my inbox message. Why he gave me the opportunities he did using his own resources, why he was so passionate about maternal health and why he would, always, continually support my work for mothers.
Well, today I found my answers.
Asiwaju’s mother died at childbirth, on the same day he was born and now the same day he died. He never knew his mother, went through life without her and would do anything to make sure others did not suffer the same fate as he did.
As planning for his burial continues, if there’s anything I’m happy about in these sad times, it is the fact that he died knowing I appreciated every support he gave me as a person and the organization I run. Every opportunity I’ve had to share my story, I have consistently talked about Asiwaju and every other person who supported me to be who I am today.
Two lessons here:
1.You need something? You want a connect? Tell your story and ask! You never know what will connect to the person you are asking. Everyone has a personal journey they are undertaking that you know nothing about.
2.Celebrate people when they are alive. Do not wait for them to die before you start writing beautiful word about them. Today, I still went back to read several messages Asiwaju sent me thanking me for celebrating him and telling me of how he received calls from people who heard me speak about him.
Don’t just use and dump people then claim God when people ask you to share your success story. God did not come down from heaven, he used people. Celebrate those that have helped you while they are alive.
On a final note, I say, journey well Asiwaju Yinka Mafe.
You fought a good fight...
*Adepeju Jaiyeoba
Brown Button Foundation *
Comments