Tinubu, govs, Awolowo Dosumu, others pay tribute as Pa Fasoranti dies at 100

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, governors, Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, among other eminent persons, on Tuesday, paid glowing tribute to Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, the revered Yoruba elder statesman and national leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, who died at the age of 100.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, in a statement, announced the death of the centenarian.

The head of the Fasoranti family and the Secretary to Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, said his father died peacefully in his room on Tuesday evening.

Taiwo said the family was grateful to God for the impactful life he lived and the influence he had on Nigerians, particularly the Yoruba people.

“Baba passed peacefully this evening around 4 p.m., in his room, in his bed. Baba was 100 years old. He turned 100 in May, and we were all looking forward to his 101st birthday, but God knows best.

“We are happy, and we thank God for his life and for the impactful life he lived. I don’t count it as mourning, but I count it as a time to celebrate his longevity and his influence and impact in the lives of Nigerians, especially the Yoruba people,” he said.

Pa Fasoranti’ life was a lesson in integrity —Tinubu

President Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed, described the elder statesman as “an icon, a beacon of principle, and one of the last great titans of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive family.”

Tinubu, who recalled Pa Fasoranti’s political stewardship as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State and later as the leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, said his life was a “lesson in integrity, discipline, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to the Yoruba people and the unity and progress of Nigeria.”

Tinubu expressed concern that the nation will miss  Pa Fasoranti’s voice of wisdom, moral authority, and fatherly counsel.

His statement read: “I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, our father, patriarch, elder statesman, and foremost Afenifere leader, who died at the glorious age of 100.

“On behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, I commiserate with the Fasoranti family, the good people of Akure Kingdom, the government and people of Ondo State and South-West Nigeria, and the entire Afenifere family.

“Pa Fasoranti was an icon, a beacon of principle, and one of the last great titans of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive family.

“His life, spanning a century, was a lesson in integrity, discipline, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to the Yoruba people and the unity and progress of Nigeria.

“From his days as an educationist and principal to his stewardship as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State and later as the leader of Afenifere, Baba never wavered in his belief in true federalism, social justice, and a Nigeria that works for all.

“Baba made immense contributions to this country and, at the risk of his life, fought for the democracy we enjoy today.

“Pa Fasoranti distinguished himself in every respect: in his disciplined, Spartan way of life, his belief in principles, and his commitment to noble causes.

“Our nation will sorely miss his voice of wisdom, moral authority, and fatherly counsel, especially now, when we need his guidance most.

“I recall Baba’s centenary on May 11 this year, when we celebrated not just longevity, but a legacy of honour. He lived a fulfilled life and left indelible footprints in the sands of time.

“I also recall his prayers and counsel when I came to his residence in Akure in 2022 to inform him of my decision to contest the presidency. Pa Fasoranti told me I would be President in his lifetime, and God answered his prayer.

“I had hoped Papa would also be around with us for my second term to witness the full dawn of economic growth and prosperity in the land.

“But we must thank God for Pa Fasoranti’s long life of service, grace and fulfilment.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. May God comfort all who mourn him and grant his family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Fasoranti, last custodian of Awolowo’s political legacy — Awolowo Dosumu, describes late Afenifere leader as last of Yoruba political titans

Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Ambassador Dr Ọlatokunbọ Awolọwọ Dosumu, has described the death of the late Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, as the end of a remarkable era in Yoruba and Nigerian political history.

Dosumu, who is also the head of the Awolọwọ family, said Fasoranti, who died at the age of 100, was the last of the political titans who upheld the political tradition and ideals of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolọwọ.

Her statement reads in full:  “The passing of Chief Reuben Fasoranti at the venerable age of 100 marks the end of a remarkable era in the political history of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria. With his departure, we have lost, in a very real sense, the last of the titans of the Awolowo political tradition.

READ ALSO: How South West celebrated Pa Fasoranti at 100

“Chief Fasoranti belonged to that extraordinary generation of leaders whose political convictions were rooted in principle, whose commitment to public service was steadfast, and whose loyalty to the ideals and philosophy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo endured through changing times and circumstances.

“Throughout his long and eventful life, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the values of justice, equity, progressive governance and the advancement of the common good. Neither the passage of time nor the changing fortunes of politics diminished his dedication to the cause he embraced.

“As a leader of Afenifere, he represented a vital link with the movement’s founding vision and traditions. His wisdom, moral authority and institutional memory will be sorely missed. His passing leaves a void that will be exceedingly difficult to fill.

“For the Awolowo family, and indeed for all who cherish the ideals for which Chief Awolowo stood, this is a particularly poignant loss. We mourn not merely the passing of a distinguished elder statesman, but the departure of a faithful custodian of a precious political heritage.

“On behalf of the Awolowo family and the Board, Management and Staff of African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Fasoranti family, the leadership and entire membership of Afenifere, and all who were privileged to know and work with this remarkable patriot.

“We give thanks to Almighty God for his exceptionally long and purposeful life, and for the enduring example of fidelity to principle that he leaves behind.

“The last of the titans has taken his leave. An era has truly ended.

“May his noble soul rest in perfect peace.”

In his condolence message, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the late elder statesman as a symbol of wisdom, integrity and selfless service, whose contributions to the development of Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria, would remain indelible.

The governor, in the condolence message, said the centenarian’s fatherly counsel, guidance and principled positions on justice and good governance would be sorely missed.

He said Fasoranti lived a fulfilled life and left behind an enduring legacy that would continue to inspire generations.

“Pa Fasoranti was a patriarch, a beacon of wisdom, integrity and selfless service whose century-long life was marked by uncommon commitment to the development of our dear State, Yorubaland and Nigeria at large,” the governor said.

Aiyedatiwa, who expressed sadness over the elder statesman’s death, said his administration and the people of Ondo State shared in the grief of the deceased’s family and associates.

On behalf of the state government and its people, the governor extended his condolences to the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure Kingdom and the entire state over the loss.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul.

He was a man of a thousand years  — Oba Olu Falae, says Afenifere leadership will emerge without struggle

Speaking, former Minister of Finance and Secretary to Federal Government and a leader of Afenifere, Oba Olu Falae, described the late Afenifere leader as an exceptional statesman whose virtues, humility and commitment to peaceful conflict resolution made him a rare figure in society.

Falae, who is an in-law to the late elder statesman, said he had known Fasoranti intimately for more than 60 years, adding that the late elder statesman has left a huge void in the political, religious and social life of Akure, Ondo State and the Yoruba nation.

Describing Fasoranti as a man whose character was difficult to find in any generation, Falae said he had never witnessed him quarrel with anyone or raise his voice at anybody, including during political meetings.

“I’m going to describe Baba Fasoranti as an exceptional generational man, one in a thousand years. I’ve known him intimately for more than 60 years, and in all that time, I’ve never heard him quarrel with anybody, or shout at anyone, even in political meetings,” he said.

Speaking on the vacuum created by the death, Oba Falae expressed confidence that the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, would produce a successor through its established tradition of peaceful leadership succession.

He described Afenifere as a self-regulating organisation where leadership emerged through consensus rather than a contest for position.

“Afenifere is a self-perpetuating, self-regulating organisation. As leaders go, leaders come. You don’t contest or fight for the leadership of Afenifere,” he said.

Falae recalled the emergence of successive leaders of the organisation following the deaths of its previous leaders, beginning with Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He recounted how, after Awolowo’s death, he visited the late Mama H. I. D. Awolowo in Ikenne and also late Bisi Onabanjo and sought his opinion on who should lead.

“Afenifere is a self-perpetuating, self-regulating organisation. As leaders go, leaders come. You don’t contest or fight for the leadership of Afenifere,” he said.

Makinde mourns, says Yoruba nation has lost moral compass

Also, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, described the death of Pa Fasoranti as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation, saying the late elder statesman devoted his life to promoting integrity, unity and selfless service.

Makinde, in a condolence message issued on Tuesday, described Fasoranti as a towering voice of conscience whose wisdom and courage shaped Yoruba politics and public life for decades.

The governor said the late Afenifere leader’s death marked the end of an era, noting that his contributions to the Yoruba nation transcended generations.

We have lost a democratic icon —Govenror Abiodun

Also, chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said Nigeria has lost a democratic icon with the passage of Pa Fasoranti.

The governor described Fasoranti’s passage as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole.

Abiodun commiserated with Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, the Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and other prominent Yoruba leaders, as well as the family and associates of the deceased.

The governor noted that Pa Fasoranti, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, lived a remarkable life defined by service, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the Yoruba people and the Nigerian nation.

His death, end of an era, says Sanwo-Olu

Also, Lagos State governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the death of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, as the end of an era.

Sanwo-Olu said the death of the centenarian, a respected elder statesman, educationist and progressive, was a major loss to the Yoruba people and Nigeria.

In a condolence message he signed, the governor described Fasoranti as a committed leader and a symbol of wisdom, integrity and selfless service, whose contributions to the Yoruba people and the country would remain indelible.