• 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, Falae, Sanwo-Olu, Bamidele grieve
Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Sunday Ehigiator in (*100*) 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 obtained 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 great individuals of Akure Kingdom, the federal government and folks of Ondo State and South-west Nigeria, and all the 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 chance of his life, fought for the democracy we get pleasure from right now.
“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 stated, “Our nation will sorely miss his voice of knowledge, ethical authority, and fatherly counsel, particularly now, once we want his steering most.
“I recall Baba’s centenary on May 11 this 12 months, once 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 development 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, Falae 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 keeping with his eldest son and Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti.
Taiwo stated the household had been trying ahead to celebrating his father’s one hundred and first birthday however had accepted his dying as the need of God, describing his century-long life as one worthy of celebration relatively 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 had been all trying ahead to his one hundred and first birthday, however God is aware of greatest.
“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 an everlasting 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 stated, recalling the shut relationship they shared till his father’s dying.
Fasoranti’s Passing is End of Awolowo’s Political Era, Late Sage’s Family Declares
The Awolowo household mourned the dying of Fasoranti, describing his passing as the top of a outstanding 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 top of a outstanding 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 frequent good.
“Neither the passage of time nor the changing fortunes of politics diminished his dedication to the cause he embraced.”
Falae: 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 regarded an awfully uncommon determine in Nigeria’s political, non secular, and social life.
“I’m going to describe Baba Fasoranti as an exceptional generational man, one in a thousand years,” Falae stated.
He recalled that all through their decades-long relationship, he had by no means witnessed Fasoranti quarrel with anybody or elevate his voice at political conferences.
Falae stated the late chief was at all times prepared to mediate disputes and assist events attain peaceable resolutions.
He stated, “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.”
Falae stated Fasoranti’s affect prolonged past politics to schooling, neighborhood improvement, and non secular 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 schooling 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,” Falae stated, describing his dying as a major 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 stated, “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
(*100*) State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the demise of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, chief of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, as the top of an period.
Sanwo-Olu, who’s Chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum, stated the fantastic exit of Pa Fasoranti, a revered elder statesman, educationist, and progressive, was an enormous loss to the Yoruba individuals and Nigeria at massive.
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 together 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 schooling, management and public service stay indelible. He impacted many lives positively by means of brave and uncompromising management. His dedication to public service and neighborhood improvement was commendable.
“Pa Fasoranti, throughout his lifetime, made a number 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 correct path.
“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 dying of Pa Fasoranti as a monumental loss to Nigeria, saying the late elder statesman devoted his life to nationwide improvement, progressive politics, and the pursuit of true federalism.
Bamidele, who expressed shock and disappointment over the passing of the centenarian, stated 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 stated the late Afenifere chieftain left behind an everlasting legacy of integrity, selflessness, and dedication to the unity and progress of Nigeria.
Describing him as a patriot par excellence, Bamidele stated, “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.”
