• President describes elder statesman as an icon and beacon of precept
•Says Nigeria will sorely miss his voice of knowledge, ethical authority, and fatherly counsel
•Aiyedatiwa, (*100*), Sanwo-Olu, Bamidele grieve
Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos and Fidelis David in Akure
President Bola Tinubu and the Chief Obafemi Awolowo household, yesterday, paid glowing tributes to Afenifere chief, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who died at the age of 100.
Tinubu, in a tribute, praised the late patriarch and elder statesman as a principled icon and one of many Awolowo progressive household’s final nice titans.
According to him, Nigeria will sorely miss Pa Fasoranti’s voice of knowledge, ethical authority, and fatherly counsel.
Tinubu, within the 13-paragraph launch, said, “I acquired with profound disappointment the information of the passing of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, our father, patriarch, elder statesman, and foremost Afenifere chief, who died at the fantastic age of 100.
“On behalf of the federal authorities and the individuals of Nigeria, I commiserate with the Fasoranti household, the nice individuals of Akure Kingdom, the federal government and folks of Ondo State and South-west Nigeria, and your entire Afenifere household.
“Pa Fasoranti was an icon, a beacon of precept, and one of many final nice titans of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive household.
“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.”
The president added, “From his days as an educationist and principal, to his stewardship as Commissioner for Finance within the previous Western Region, and later as the chief of Afenifere, Baba by no means wavered in his perception in true federalism, social justice, and a Nigeria that works for all.
“Baba made immense contributions to this nation and, at the danger of his life, fought for the democracy we get pleasure from as we speak.
“Pa Fasoranti distinguished himself in every respect: in his disciplined, Spartan way of life, his belief in principles, and his commitment to noble causes.”
Tinubu mentioned, “Our nation will sorely miss his voice of knowledge, ethical authority, and fatherly counsel, particularly now, after we want his steerage most.
“I recall Baba’s centenary on May 11 this 12 months, after we celebrated not simply longevity, however a legacy of honour. He lived a fulfilled life and left indelible footprints within 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.”
Tinubu said, “I had hoped Papa would even be round with us for my second time period to witness the complete daybreak of financial progress and prosperity within the land.
“But we should thank God for Pa Fasoranti’s lengthy lifetime 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.”
Aiyedatiwa, (*100*) Hail Afenifere Leader as ‘One-in-a-Thousand-Years Man’
Fasoranti, who turned 100 years in May, died peacefully in his sleep at his residence, yesterday, October 20, in response to his eldest son and Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti.
Taiwo mentioned the household had been wanting ahead to celebrating his father’s one hundred and first birthday however had accepted his demise as the desire of God, describing his century-long life as one worthy of celebration moderately than mourning.
He said, “Baba handed on this night round 4pm peacefully in his room, in his mattress. Baba was 100 years previous. He turned 100 in May, and we have been all wanting ahead to his one hundred and first birthday, however God is aware of finest.
“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 Yoruba people.”
He described his late father as a person of few phrases whose knowledge, firmness, and calm disposition left a permanent impression on these round him.
“My day starts with seeing him in the morning and seeing him when I get back from the office. No matter how late it is, he will still be up waiting for me to come in,” he mentioned, recalling the shut relationship they shared till his father’s demise.
Fasoranti’s Passing is End of Awolowo’s Political Era, Late Sage’s Family Declares
The Awolowo household mourned the demise of Fasoranti, describing his passing as the tip of a exceptional period within the political historical past of Awolowo’s Titans, the Yoruba nation, and Nigeria.
The head of the Awolowo household and Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, made the assertion in a condolence assertion issued yesterday.
Dosumu described Fasoranti as one of many final surviving titans of the political custom established by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, stating that his dedication to the beliefs of the late sage remained steadfast all through his life.
Dosumu said, “The passing of Chief Reuben Fasaranti at the venerable age of 100 marks the tip of a exceptional period within the political historical past 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.”
Dosumu added, “Chief Fasaranti 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.”
He said, “Throughout his lengthy and eventful life, he remained steadfast in his dedication to the values of justice, fairness, progressive governance and the development of the widespread good.
“Neither the passage of time nor the changing fortunes of politics diminished his dedication to the cause he embraced.”
(*100*): He’s Exceptional Generational Man
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Fale, described the late elder statesman as his in-law, whom he had identified intimately for greater than 60 years and thought of a very uncommon determine in Nigeria’s political, spiritual, and social life.
“I’m going to describe Baba Fasoranti as an exceptional generational man, one in a thousand years,” (*100*) mentioned.
He recalled that all through their decades-long relationship, he had by no means witnessed Fasoranti quarrel with anybody or increase his voice at political conferences.
(*100*) mentioned the late chief was all the time keen to mediate disputes and assist events attain peaceable resolutions.
He mentioned, “In all that time, I’ve never heard him quarrel with anybody, shout at anyone, even in political meetings. He was always ready to mediate in any dispute brought to his attention.”
(*100*) mentioned Fasoranti’s affect prolonged past politics to training, group growth, and spiritual life, stating that his dedication to serving to deprived youngsters was among the many enduring examples of his selflessness.
He recalled that when Fasoranti was the founding principal of Iju/Itaogbolu Grammar School, he admitted pupils from poor backgrounds and allowed them to finish their secondary training on credit score, with the chance to repay after leaving college.
“No one is perfect, but Baba is as near perfect a human being as I believe you can get in this fallen world,” (*100*) mentioned, describing his demise as a big loss to Akure, Ondo State, and the Yoruba nation.
Aiyedatiwa: He Was a Beacon of Wisdom
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described Fasoranti as a patriarch and a beacon of knowledge, integrity and selfless service, whose contributions to the event of Ondo State, Yorubaland, and Nigeria would stay indelible.
In a phone dialog, he mentioned, “His counsel, fatherly guidance, and principled stand on issues of justice and good governance will be sorely missed.”
The governor commiserated with the Fasoranti household, the individuals of Akure Kingdom, and the state over the loss.
Sanwo-Olu: It’s End of an Era
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the demise of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, chief of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, as the tip of an period.
Sanwo-Olu, who’s Chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum, mentioned the fantastic exit of Pa Fasoranti, a revered elder statesman, educationist, and progressive, was a giant loss to the Yoruba individuals and Nigeria at giant.
In a condolence message personally signed, Sanwo-Olu described the late Pa Fasoranti as a dedicated chief and an emblem of knowledge, integrity, and selfless service who served the Yoruba individuals and Nigeria passionately.
He additionally commiserated along with his Ondo State counterpart, Aiyedatiwa; the federal government and folks of Ondo State, significantly the individuals of Akure Kingdom; the Fasoranti household; and members of Afenifere.
Sanwo-Olu said, “Baba Fasoranti was a revered and passionate statesman whose contributions to training, management and public service stay indelible. He impacted many lives positively by brave and uncompromising management. His dedication to public service and group growth was commendable.
“Pa Fasoranti, throughout his lifetime, made quite a lot of optimistic impression in Yorubaland and Nigeria. He did nice exploits as the chief of Afenifere by steering the ship of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation in the appropriate course.
“We cherish Pa Fasoranti’s commitment to fighting for truth, equity, justice, true federalism and good governance, which he championed for many decades during his lifetime.”
Sanwo-Olu added, “I pray for the repose of the soul of the late Pa Reuben Fasoranti. May God grant the deceased’s household, family members, and the Yoruba individuals the fortitude to bear the irreparable lack of the centenarian.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos State, as well as my brother governors in the South-West, I commiserate with the Fasoranti family, Afenifere members and the entire people of Yorubaland over the departure of our respected leader and elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.”
Bamidele: Fasoranti’s Death Robs Nigeria of a Patriot, Awoist
Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, described the demise of Pa Fasoranti as a monumental loss to Nigeria, saying the late elder statesman devoted his life to nationwide growth, progressive politics, and the pursuit of true federalism.
Bamidele, who expressed shock and disappointment over the passing of the centenarian, mentioned Fasoranti distinguished himself as a patriot and statesman who constantly positioned the nationwide curiosity above private and sectional concerns.
In a condolence message, the senate chief mentioned the late Afenifere chieftain left behind a permanent legacy of integrity, selflessness, and dedication to the unity and progress of Nigeria.
Describing him as a patriot par excellence, Bamidele mentioned, “The late centenarian was a patriot par excellence, a statesman of unusual integrity who constantly positioned nationwide curiosity far above private or sectional concerns.
“As an educationist, school administrator and community leader, Baba Fasoranti impacted generations of Nigerians and left an indelible mark on our national development trajectory.”
