By Yomi Ogunsanu
Human race always throw up different categories of people; the highly and lowly placed, the accomplished and the not so accomplished people, and above all the exemplary achievers whose lives are exciting chapters for the upcoming generations.
Every society as it were has its finest and best crops of individuals who are great inspiration to the society they belong, as their exploits and achievements stand them out as men and women of great reference and substance.
These individuals, by dint of hard work, perseverance, uncommon zeal and dedication have booked for themselves a special place in history and have continued to play greater role in the advancement of their chosen field or calling, nay society at large.
But quite unfortunately, in this part of the globe, majority of the finest men of history are hardly recognized while alive, only for greater encomium to be showered on them after they might have bade the world farewell.
It is better to celebrate top fliers in the society while they are still alive and relevant to the society, as this singular gesture will by no means spur them to do more.
Today, the world celebrates Prince (Dr) Feyisayo Soyewo, MFR, on his 74th birthday anniversary, for his several accomplishments and living an exemplary life. He was born on 24th September, 1950, to a noble and royal family. His father was Jacob Soyewo, a big time and prosperous farmer, the great grandson of Balogun Meleki of Ago-Iwoye (from Ogunjobi dynasty). His mother, Juliana Poroye Soyewo was a truly Royal Princess from Ebumawe Royal Dynasty in Ago-Iwoye, Elerunwon Royal House in Erunwon and Eleruija Alaporu Royal House in Ilaporu.
One unique thing about Prince Soyewo is not only contained in his personal achievements in life, which is in itself a factor, but by the way he has been able to touch other people’s lives positively, directly and indirectly, thereby making the society a better place for all. He is one man whose outstanding achievements are sources of inspiration to the present and future generations, while his contributions to societal development are legendary.
Prince (Dr) Feyisayo Soyewo is the Chairman, Prestige Insurance Brokers Ltd, Lagos; Past President, Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB); Past Chairman, African Insurance Brokers Association (AIBA).
After his primary, secondary and higher school education, he proceeded to the University of Lagos at the age of 33, after he had finished sponsoring the last of his mother’s children to the University. He graduated with honours in Business Administration.
In June 1975, Prince Soyewo’s journey to a successful Insurance career began when he joined the Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance, where he was exposed to several professional trainings that later came in handy in his sojourn at the industry. After serving meritoriously in various Insurance companies that spanned thirteen years of skilled underwriting and claims management, Prince Soyewo, in fulfillment of his desire to be self-employed, established Prestige Insurance Brokers Ltd in 1988, thereby becoming an Insurance Broker. As the Chief Executive Officer, he diligently nurtured Prestige Insurance Brokers Ltd to become one of the highest ranking and foremost Insurance Broking Firm in Nigeria today.
Upon the establishment of Prestige Insurance Brokers, he joined Nigerian Corporation of Insurance Brokers (NCIB), the umbrella body for insurance brokers in the Nigerian Insurance Industry. Within two years of his very active membership, he was elected into the Governing Board. Due to his commitment in the affairs of NCIB, he was appointed as Chairman of its Activities Committee, a position that availed him the opportunity of travelling across the country and giving lectures in all the branch networks free of charge.
He made history in 1996 during the Annual Insurance Conference & Annual General Meeting in Kano, when he was elected a Fellow of the Council before becoming President. His active participation thereafter paved way for him to contest in 1999 for the position of Vice President of the body, which he won overwhelmingly. Two years later, he was elected as the Deputy President, while in 2003, he was elected President.
One of the major achievements of Prince Soyewo during his leadership of NCIB was the signing into law, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Act, for which he played tremendous roles when he was the Deputy President.
In May 2003, about four months before Prince Soyewo’s assumption of office as the NCIB President, the Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, signed into law the NCRIB Act, and Prince Soyewo thereafter became the NCRIB Charter President.
The invaluable contributions of Prince Soyewo to the insurance industry and nation building earned him the conferment of National Honours Award of “Member of the Federal Republic” (MFR), among other numerous Awards. He is the Chairman of African Insurance Brokers Association (AIBA) and also the Author of the book, Insurance Broking in Nigeria (the first authoritative book on Insurance Broking by a Nigerian Insurance Practitioner).
As a great philanthropist with resolve to give back to the society, Prince Soyewo, in 1991, established Feyisayo Soyewo Foundation for the purpose of awarding Scholarship to deserving brilliant but indigent students of secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
So far, the Foundation has recorded tremendous success going by the number of people that have benefited from it and completed their education up to the university level, and today earning good living. Among them are Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers and Journalists.
A man imbued with inexhaustible milk of human kindness, the Royal prince has continued to extend his loving kindness to innumerable people of diverse culture, faith and background, and has touched numerous people’s lives positively with his doors of benevolence widely opened to the needy.
A member of one of the largest service clubs in the world, The International Association of Lions Clubs, he became the President of its Ketu chapter in 1988 and Chairman for the International Convention in 1989. He is never tired of giving service.
Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Ago-Iwoye, Patron of CAN in Ijebu North and Grand Patron, Christian Council of Churches in Ogun State, Prince Soyewo, though born of the Christian faith (Anglican Communion), embraced other Christian denomination and was honoured with the Knight of John Wesley Award of the Methodist Church. He is also in love with Islam as a religion and has sponsored and still sponsoring Muslim faithful on holy pilgrimage. No wonder, the Muslim community in Ago-Iwoye named him Habibullahi.
Prince Soyewo is a man of high social standing. He is a Member, Island Club and Patron to several other social clubs.
He shares court in many reputable professional bodies. They include: Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM; Fellow, Institute of Directors, Nigeria; Fellow, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers; Senior Member, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.
Prince (Dr) Feyisayo Soyewo, the Olori Omooba of Ago-Iwoye, is a Distinguished Achiever, a Philanthropist Par Excellence, an Accomplished Professional, an amiable and sociable person, a man with great passion for humanity, a brilliant, humble and friendly personality, a gentleman of honour and integrity, a Godly and great leader of men. The Royal Prince is happily married to Olori Abiodun, and blessed with lovely children and grandchildren.
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