My father had covenant with God to die at 100 – Ondo SSG Taiwo Fasoranti

Taiwo Fasoranti, the eldest child of the late Afenifere leader Reuben Fasoranti, has said his father had a covenant with God to die at the age of 100.

Mr Fasoranti, who is the Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), disclosed this when Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Afenifere leader at his residence in Akure on Tuesday night.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Fasoranti died on Tuesday evening in his house in Ijapo, Akure.

The SSG said that his father had repeatedly told family members that he had a covenant with God to depart from the world upon attaining the age of 100.

“Baba often told us that he had a covenant with God that whenever he got to 100, he would go. He repeatedly told us that when he died, we should not cry.

“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.

The SSG described his father as a devoted parent who was actively involved in the upbringing and education of his children.

He said the family would greatly miss the wise counsel of the late nationalist, whom he described as a man of few words who communicated his thoughts “quietly but effectively.”

He appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for identifying with the family during this period, while appealing for prayers to enable the children to sustain their father’s legacies.

Speaking, Mr Aiyedatiwa described the late Afenifere leader as an epitome of humility, kindness and wisdom whose contributions to governance and national development would remain indelible.

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

The governor described the deceased as a great educator whose positive influence extended across generations, producing prominent personalities within and outside Nigeria.

“We cannot but celebrate his life and times. We are not mourning. We are just celebrating and thanking God for a life that was well lived,” he said.

The governor said the late nationalist lived a fulfilled life characterised by humility, kindness, wisdom and dedication to the service of humanity.

Mr Aiyedatiwa urged the family and other Nigerians to emulate the virtues of the deceased and continue to make meaningful contributions to society.

Fasoranti: From school teacher to natoinal prominence

The late Afenifere served as a teacher, principal, and educationist. Upon his retirement, he established the Omolere Nursery School and Akure High School, both of which still stand as a monument to his legacy as a school administrator.

He was a highly respected Nigerian elder statesman and progressive politician who began his political journey at the grassroots level, serving diligently as an elected councillor and later as the Chairman of the Akure Local Government.

He served as the Ondo State Commissioner for Finance from 1979 to 1983 during the administration of then-Governor Adekunle Ajasin.

READ ALSO: Tinubu mourns Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti

Mr Fasoranti was an ideological disciple of elder statesman and nationalist Obafemi Awolowo.

He was an active member of the Awolowo-led Action Group (AG) from the pre-independence to the First Republic eras, and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) during the Second Republic. During the oppressive military regime of General Sani Abacha in the 1990s,

Mr Fasoranti was part of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) formed in 1994 by leading politicians, civil rights activists, retired military officers, and professionals to confront military tyranny and fight for the restoration of democratic rule.

Some NADECO members, including Mr Fasoranti, escaped state-sponsored assassination during the military era.

(NAN)