Ooni, Akintoye, Bamidele, Mimiko, Fayemi, Afenifere mourn Fasoranti, hail legacy of service

TRIBUTES continue to pour in for Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, who died on Tuesday at the age of 100.

Yoruba nation has lost a pillar of wisdom —Ooni

Permanent chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in reaction to death, said the Yoruba nation has lost a pillar of wisdom.

Ooni’s remark was contained in a statement released by the Senior Media Officer of the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.

The monarch, who doubles as the co-chairman of NCTRN, described the death of the centenarian as a profound loss to the Yoruba race and Nigeria, noting that his life was marked by dedicated service, wisdom, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the people.

Oba Ogunwusi said Fasoranti belonged to a generation of respected leaders, whose contributions to the political development of Nigeria, preservation of Yoruba identity and the struggle for democratic governance would remain significant in the nation’s history.

He noted that the late Afenifere leader’s commitment to justice, good governance, equity and the welfare of the Yoruba people reflected the enduring values of responsible leadership and service to humanity.

The monarch further observed that Pa Fasoranti’s influence extended beyond his leadership of Afenifere, as his decades of public service and political engagement made him a respected voice in discussions concerning the future of Yorubaland and Nigeria.

He was an exemplary leader, patriot, icon —Afenifere

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, which Fasoranti led, expressed deep grief over his demise, describing him as an exemplary leader, a genuine patriot, and an icon who was a model of courage even in heart-rending circumstances. 

The tribute was contained in a statement by the organisation’s national publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.

Afenifere noted that following the footsteps of his predecessors in the office, Fasoranti lived an exemplary life from which individuals and organisations can draw inspirations and model their lives after.

The group said: “Like his hero, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his other predecessors in office as Afenifere leader, such as Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Abraham Adesanya, Fasoranti, throughout his life, believed that public offices were meant to serve the best interest of the people.”

Fasoranti remained committed to people’s welfare —Akintoye

Yoruba leader and historian, Professor Banji Akintoye, in his farewell message, titled: “Message of Goodbye to Our Beloved Father Chief Ruben Fasoranti”, described the deceased as a devoted elder who remained committed to the welfare of his people until his final moments.

Akintoye, who referred to himself as Fasoranti’s younger brother, said he was bidding farewell to him on behalf of himself and millions of Yoruba people.

He said: “You stood by your people unfailingly and faithfully until your last breath.”

The historian also praised the late Afenifere leader for his calmness and composure, saying these qualities helped him restore peace during difficult moments.

“We thank God for your wonderful God-given gift of calmness and composure. With that gift, you brought calmness and peace into countless moments of tension in our lives,” he said.

Akintoye further urged Fasoranti to convey a message to the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the great beyond, noting that the deceased remained faithful to the ideals of the former Premier of the Western Region and the struggle for the welfare and dignity of the Yoruba people.

“When you see our great father, Obafemi Awolowo, in the great beyond, tell him that you stood firmly and faithfully for the wellbeing of our people till the end,” he said.

He added: “And tell him too that we, your younger brothers in the large Awolowo family, are also standing firmly and faithfully at the gap, fighting for the wellbeing of our Yoruba people and the dignity of our Yoruba Nation.”

Fasoranti was devoted to the common good —Ademola Folarin

Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation he led, announced his death in a statement signed by its secretary-general, Chief Ademola Folarin, describing the late leader’s life as one devoted to the common good.

The organisation said: “Our leader leaves behind a legacy of peerless integrity and a deep commitment and devotion to the common good.”

It added that it joined millions of Nigerians in mourning “this distinctly exemplary and rare leader”, while extending its condolences to his family, members of Afenifere, the Ondo State government and people, the Yoruba nation at home and in the diaspora, and Nigeria.

Fasoranti was a patriot of exceptional commitment —Bamidele

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in his condolence message, described Fasoranti as a patriot of exceptional commitment, who consistently placed national interest above personal and sectional considerations.

Bamidele said the late centenarian made significant contributions as an educationist, school administrator and community leader, impacting generations of Nigerians.

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He stressed that the Yoruba people and the country would continue to remember Fasoranti for his principled positions and commitment to national development.

Nigeria has lost a political institution —Mimiko

A former Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, described the death of Fasoranti as the end of an extraordinary chapter in the political and moral history of the state, Yorubaland and Nigeria.

Mimiko said Fasoranti was more than a political leader, describing him as a custodian of the progressive political tradition and a devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The former governor said Fasoranti’s life was defined by integrity, discipline, courage and an unwavering commitment to public service.

He noted that Fasoranti distinguished himself as an educationist, administrator, politician, Afenifere leader and pro-democracy activist, adding that his contributions to governance and the struggle for democracy would remain significant chapters in Nigeria’s political history.

According to Mimiko, Fasoranti’s service as commissioner for finance, under the administration of the late Governor Michael Adekunle Ajasin, reflected his commitment to public probity and responsible governance.

He was a father, mentor whose influence shaped my life, public service —Fayemi

A former Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also described the late Afenifere leader as a father, mentor and school principal whose influence shaped his life and public service.

Fayemi, in a statement, said Fasoranti’s death was a major loss to the Yoruba people, the progressive political tradition and Nigeria.

He stated that the late statesman distinguished himself through integrity, fairness, wisdom and an enduring commitment to the welfare of his people.

“Baba Fasoranti was a remarkable leader whose strength lay not only in his convictions, but also in his wisdom, fairness and ability to listen,” Fayemi said.

He added that Fasoranti understood that leadership required “patience, courage, inclusiveness and a constant commitment to the common good.”

The former governor said the deceased provided moral guidance at critical moments in Nigeria’s history and demonstrated that it was possible to remain firm in one’s convictions while treating others with dignity.

“His passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt,” he stated.

Fayemi, who described his loss as personal, said he benefited immensely from Fasoranti’s guidance and fatherly counsel over the years.

He was custodian of the progressive ideals associated with Awolowo —SWAGA’23

Meanwhile, SWAGA’23, in a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, described Fasoranti as a father figure, pro-democracy activist and custodian of the progressive ideals associated with Awolowo.

The group said the late elder statesman remained committed to truth, justice, true federalism, good governance and the unity and progress of Nigeria throughout his public life.

It recalled his contributions to the Action Group and the Unity Party of Nigeria, as well as his role in sustaining the progressive political tradition.

Fasoranti’s death, a monumental loss —Ondo Assembly

Ondo State House of Assembly described the death of Fasoranti as a monumental loss to the state and Nigeria.

Speaker of the assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, stated this in a condolence message issued on behalf of the lawmakers.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the speaker described Fasoranti’s life as a testament to selfless service, courage, integrity and commitment to good governance and democratic values.

He noted that the deceased’s contributions to the state and Nigeria, particularly as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State, remained a significant part of his public service legacy.

“His commitment to public administration, democratic governance and the advancement of the welfare of the people earned him respect across the nation,” he said.

His life was defined by service, courage, integrity — Lagos APC campaign council

The Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) PBAT-KOH Campaign Council, under the leadership of its Director-General, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, described Fasoranti as a revered Yoruba elder statesman, nationalist, educationist and advocate of democratic governance.

The organisation, in a condolence statement by its Director of Information, Communication and Branding, Mr Seye Oladejo, said Fasoranti’s life was defined by service, courage, integrity and commitment to Nigeria’s progress.

“Pa Fasoranti’s transition marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the history of Yoruba socio-political development and the wider Nigerian democratic struggle,” the council said.

Fasoranti’s passage, an irreparable loss —ODI

The Ooye Development Initiative (ODI), in its tribute, described Fasoranti’s passage as “irreparable” and a sad day for Akure kingdom.

ODI, a sociocultural umbrella body of Akure, Ondo State sons and daughters, made this known after a visit to the family house of the deceased.

In a release by its president, Mr Tokunbo Jegede, the group said that rare persons it called “avatars” like Fasoranti live with a people once in multiple generations, maintaining that Akure was fortunate to have been favoured by God to play host to such in Fasoranti for 100 years.

“For us, it is like the sun setting at noon for the people of Akure Kingdom. Though Papa Fasoranti left this world at a desirable age, having lived to attain the advanced age of a centenary, Akure could not have had enough of his imperishable imprints on the sands of time,” the body stated.

ODI recalled Pa Fasoranti’s “single-handed” role of placing Akure on the maps of the world, through his invaluable contributions to its development and advancement, since 1951 when he graduated from the University of Ibadan.

“Chief Fasoranti made Akure Kingdom proud, brought the world’s attention to its people and promoted the values of Omoluabi which the forebears of the people established as the irreducible minimum of the people’s ethos in their relationship with humanity,” ODI stated.

The Initiative also said that towards Pa Fasoranti’s twilight of existence on earth, he bequeathed to the people of Akure the dividends of his national honour and respect through the bestowal of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Akure (FUTHAT) project, which President Bola Tinubu gave Akure people in recognition of Fasoranti’s invaluable contributions to mankind.

ODI also recognised Pa Fasoranti’s role as one of the major forces for the establishment of Ondo State and who, since then, gave himself for its development.

“We will miss our father and leader; Akure will forever honour him among its pantheon of leaders; Ondo State will forever miss him; Yorubaland will remember him alongside leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Adekunle Ajasin and the likes and Nigeria will never ever forget a first-class patriot, for whom materialism was immaterial and one who worshiped humanity with his incredible existence,” the release concluded.