Obasanjo, Aiyedatiwa, others pay tribute to Fasoranti

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, former Ogun Governor Gbenga Daniel and former Ondo Governor Olusegun Mimiko have paid tributes to the late Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, describing him as a symbol of integrity, principled leadership and selfless service to Nigeria.

Fasoranti, who died at the age of 100, was remembered by the political leaders for his contributions to education, governance, the Yoruba nation and Nigeria’s democratic development.

Obasanjo, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, described the late elder statesman as one of the few remaining titans of a generation that laid the foundation for modern Nigeria.

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He said the generation distinguished itself through character, sacrifice and unwavering integrity in public service.

According to the former president, Fasoranti’s life demonstrated purposeful longevity, principled leadership and an enduring commitment to the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.

“Baba’s departure marks the end of an extraordinary era. As an educationist, Baba understood early on that building a nation required building its people,” Obasanjo said.

He recalled that Fasoranti worked as a school principal before venturing into politics, where he continued to contribute to public service.

Obasanjo also highlighted his tenure as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) administration, describing it as a reference point for fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability.

The former president said Fasoranti provided unifying leadership when he assumed the responsibility of leading Afenifere amid internal divisions and national uncertainty.

He added that the late Yoruba leader remained steadfast in opposing military dictatorship and advocating true federalism, justice and equity despite threats to his life.

Obasanjo also recalled their personal relationship, noting that their mutual respect remained intact even when they disagreed politically.

He said visits to Fasoranti in Akure provided opportunities to receive counsel from the elder statesman.

Similarly, Daniel expressed sorrow over the death, describing it as a monumental loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria.

The former Ogun State governor said Fasoranti lived a century characterised by integrity, courage and commitment to the progressive political tradition.

Daniel recalled visiting the Afenifere leader in 2019 to commiserate with him following the murder of his daughter, Funke Olakunrin. He said Fasoranti demonstrated resilience and continued to provide leadership to the Yoruba people despite the personal tragedy.

He also recalled Fasoranti’s 99th birthday lecture in Akure, where he described the elder statesman as an embodiment of the Omoluabi values of integrity, wisdom, courage and community service.

Daniel said Fasoranti’s death marked the end of an era for the Awolowo political family, urging his family, the people of Ondo State and members of Afenifere to sustain the values he upheld throughout his life.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and strength for the family to bear the loss.

Meanwhile, Aiyedatiwa described Fasoranti as an elder statesman whose wisdom continued to influence government decisions until his death.

The governor spoke during a condolence visit to the deceased’s residence, where he paid tribute to his contributions to education, governance, and society.

Aiyedatiwa said he was shocked by the news of Fasoranti’s death despite his advanced age, noting that the centenarian continued to offer guidance until his final days.

“Even at that age, Baba was still influencing decisions of government. That is to tell you that he was still mentally sound,” the governor said.

He described Fasoranti as a man of humility, kindness and wisdom, adding that his influence extended to people whose lives he shaped through education and public service.

The governor said the circumstances of the elder statesman’s death offered the family some comfort, noting that he had not endured prolonged illness or repeated hospital visits before his passing.

“He slept, and that was it,” Aiyedatiwa said.

He urged the family and Nigerians to uphold the values of humility, wisdom and service for which Fasoranti was known.

Responding, the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, thanked the governor for the visit and said the family had chosen to celebrate their father’s life and legacy.

He disclosed that the late elder statesman had repeatedly told members of the family that he had a covenant with God to die at the age of 100 and had instructed them not to cry when he passed away.

Taiwo said the family would strive to preserve the values of firmness, resilience, hard work and love instilled in them by their father.

“We are not mourning Baba. We are rejoicing. Baba has left us a big pair of shoes to step into, but we can only thank God for the legacy of firmness, resilience, hard work and love that he left us with,” he said.

He described his father as a devoted parent who took a keen interest in the education and development of his children, maintaining close involvement in their lives from elementary school through university.

He added that the family would miss the late patriarch’s presence and counsel, describing him as a man who communicated effectively without necessarily saying much.

In his tribute, Mimiko described Fasoranti’s death as the end of an extraordinary chapter in the political and moral history of Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.

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

He said the late elder statesman distinguished himself as an educationist, administrator, politician, Afenifere leader and pro-democracy activist whose contributions to governance and democracy would remain part of Nigeria’s political history.

Mimiko also highlighted Fasoranti’s service as Commissioner for Finance under the administration of the late Governor Michael Adekunle Ajasin, saying it reflected his commitment to public probity and responsible governance.

According to him, Fasoranti sustained the progressive movement through his leadership of Afenifere and his consistent advocacy for social justice, good governance, true federalism and the advancement of the Yoruba people within a united Nigeria.

He said the late leader remained committed to his principles throughout his political career, including during the difficult years of military rule.

“Never for once were personal ambition or greed markers of his leadership philosophy or direction; it was all about fidelity to principle and an abiding concern for the future of the nation,” Mimiko said.

The former governor added that Fasoranti represented a generation that regarded public office as a responsibility rather than an avenue for personal enrichment.

He also recalled the personal tragedies suffered by the late Afenifere leader, including the deaths of his wife and daughter, saying he endured the experiences with fortitude and submission to the will of God.

“For us in Ondo State, his passing is a profound loss. We have lost a father figure whose long life connected our political present to some of the most consequential chapters of our collective history,” he said.

Mimiko urged younger Nigerians to draw lessons from Fasoranti’s commitment to principle, courage and public service, while extending condolences to his family, the people of Akure and members of Afenifere.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and comfort for all those mourning his death.