A chapter closed in the life of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, y
Its leader, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, passed away in his sleep at the age of 100.
The eminent politician, Awoist and close associate of Second Republic Ondo State Governor Adekunle Ajasin, was a centenarian.Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who confirmed his death in a statement, paid glowing tribute to the frontline educationist and Akure community leader, who served as Commissioner for Finance in the Ajasin administration during the Second Republic.
Fasoranti succeeded the late Senator Abraham Adesanya as Afenifere leaderA renowned educationist, he was principal of prominent secondary schools in Oyo, Osogbo and Ado-Ekiti. He was also a former chairman of Akure Local Government.President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who led other statesmen in mourning the centenarian, recalled how Fasoranti predicted his victory ahead of the 2023 presidential election. FollowPolitics
He lamented that the Afenifere leader would not be alive to witness his second term.
After his swearing-in as President, Fasoranti visited Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Seated in a wheelchair, he was ushered into the President’s office, where he prayed for Tinubu and a successful administration.Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, the late leader’s son and Secretary to the Ondo State Government, said his father died peacefully in his room, on his bed, around 4 pm at his residence along Ijapo Road in Akure.
He said the family had looked forward to May 11 next year, when Pa Fasoranti would have turned 101.He said: “We are happy. We thank God for his life and for the impactful life he lived. I don’t count it as mourning, but as a time to celebrate his longevity and his influence and impact on the lives of Nigerians, especially the Yoruba people.” BuyMaps
Reflecting on his personal loss, Taiwo described his father as a man of few words but profound wisdom, whose calm disposition and firm principles shaped his relationships with family members.
He said one of the things he would miss most was the opportunity to engage in daily conversations with his father, particularly his habit of waiting up for him whenever he returned from work, regardless of how late it was.Taiwo said: “What will I miss about him? I think his demeanour, even in the face of adversity. He was a man of few words, full of wisdom. I thank God that in the last couple of years, I have been able to see that and enjoy one-on-one conversations with him.”
He said his day usually began with seeing his father in the morning and ended with another meeting when he returned from work.
Taiwo described the late Afenifere leader as a firm and disciplined father who communicated his expectations without threats or raising his voice.He added: “He was very affirmative, very stern, but passed on his messages with little or no threat. He would communicate with you in a low voice, but the message was full of meaning. I think we will miss that in this family.”
The SSG urged Nigerians, particularly those who knew his father, to celebrate his legacy by embracing education, selflessness, community service and a commitment to helping others. BuyMaps
Taiwo said his father remained passionate about education until his final days, noting that he continued to visit one of his schools just weeks before his death.He added: “Baba was an educationist to the core. He was a leader who wanted people to give back to the community they served. He was a selfless person.”
Taiwo urged admirers, friends, family members and colleagues of the late elder statesman to support the education of disadvantaged children as a practical way of preserving his legacy.
He said: “Baba believed that you must be educated. Education was key to him. Those of us who met him, his friends, family members, colleagues and admirers should look for a child, educate that child and sow into the lives of those people.“Make sure people are educated. And also be a community person. Give back to your community. That’s what I would tell them,” he added.
The SSG also affirmed that the family would sustain the scholarship programme established through a foundation in honour of the elder statesman.
He said the foundation had quietly supported numerous children through scholarships at secondary and university levels across the country.
Taiwo assured that the family would continue to strengthen the initiative to ensure that more young people benefited from the late patriarch’s enduring commitment to educationPresident Tinubu, in a tribute he personally wrote, recalled how the Yoruba patriarch predicted his emergence as President during a visit to his Akure residence in 2022. FollowPolitics
The President, who described Fasoranti as one of the last great titans of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive political family, said he had hoped the elder statesman would live to witness his second term in office and the full benefits of his Administration’s economic reforms.Tinubu described the deceased as a father, patriot and towering symbol of integrity, discipline and principled leadership. FollowPolitics
Recalling his relationship with the deceased, the President said Fasoranti had offered him prayers and fatherly counsel when he informed him of his presidential ambition.
Tinubu said: “Pa Fasoranti told me I would be President in his lifetime, and God answered his prayer.Tinubu described the deceased as a father, patriot and towering symbol of integrity, discipline and principled leadership. FollowPolitics
Recalling his relationship with the deceased, the President said Fasoranti had offered him prayers and fatherly counsel when he informed him of his presidential ambition.
Tinubu said: “Pa Fasoranti told me I would be President in his lifetime, and God answered his prayer.“I had hoped Papa would also be around with us for my second term to witness the full dawn of economic growth and prosperity in the land. But we must thank God for Pa Fasoranti’s long life of service, grace and fulfilment.”
Tinubu, who extended condolences on behalf of the Federal Government and Nigerians, commiserated with the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure Kingdom, the government and people of Ondo State, the Southwest geopolitical zone and the entire Afenifere family. FollowPolitics
He described the late centenarian as an extraordinary patriot whose century-long life exemplified dedication to the advancement of the Yoruba people and the unity and development of Nigeria.The President said: “
Pa Fasoranti was an icon, a beacon of principle, and one of the last great titans of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive family. He said the late Afenifere leader demonstrated uncommon consistency in his convictions, from his early years as an educationist and school principal to his service as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State and, subsequently, as a leading voice in the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation.
The President said: “Baba never wavered in his belief in true federalism, social justice, and a Nigeria that works for all. BuyMaps
“Baba made immense contributions to this country and, at the risk of his life, fought for the democracy we enjoy today.“Pa Fasoranti distinguished himself in every respect: in his disciplined, Spartan way of life, his belief in principles, and his commitment to noble causes.
“Our nation will sorely miss his voice of wisdom, moral authority, and fatherly counsel, especially now, when we need his guidance most.”
The President recalled the celebration of Fasoranti’s 100th birthday on May 11, describing the occasion as a fitting recognition of a lifetime devoted to honourable service and the pursuit of noble causes.He said: “I recall Baba’s centenary on May 11 this year, when we celebrated not just longevity, but a legacy of honour. He lived a fulfilled life and left indelible footprints in the sands of time.He said: “
I recall Baba’s centenary on May 11 this year, when we celebrated not just longevity, but a legacy of honour. He lived a fulfilled life and left indelible footprints in the sands of time.Aiyedatiwa described Fasoranti as a beacon of wisdom, integrity and selfless service, whose life was devoted to the development of Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria. BuyMaps
The governor said Fasoranti’s counsel, fatherly guidance and principled positions on justice and good governance would be sorely missed.He said the late Afenifere leader had left behind an enduring legacy of honour and service that would continue to inspire generations. Falae, who said he had known the late elder statesman intimately for more than 60 years, described him as a peaceful, humble and selfless individual who devoted his life to resolving disputes and promoting harmony in his community, church and political circles.
Falae, who spoke with reporters in Akure, said: “His death has left a big void in the political, religious and social life, not only of Akure and St David’s Church or Ondo State, but of the entire Yoruba nation.”Speaking on the late Afenifere leader’s exemplary character, Falae said he had never witnessed him quarrel with anyone or raise his voice at anybody, even during politically charged meetings.
He said Fasoranti was always willing to listen to opposing sides and mediate in disputes, irrespective of whether they originated from the Akure community, the church or political organisations.
The monarch said: “I’m going to describe Baba Fasoranti as an exceptional generational man, one in a thousand years. I have known him intimately for more than 60 years.”While acknowledging that no human being was perfect, he described Fasoranti as one of the closest examples of an ideal human being.
Falae also recalled Fasoranti’s compassion for indigent students during his tenure as the founding principal of Iju Itaogbolu Grammar School in Ondo State.
He said the late educationist admitted many pupils from poor backgrounds and allowed them to complete their secondary education on credit, allowing them to acquire an education despite their families’ financial difficulties.He said the arrangement allowed beneficiaries to repay their fees after leaving school, reflecting Fasoranti’s commitment to education and concern for the less privileged.
Falae said the late elder statesman’s legacy extended beyond politics to education, religion and community development.
He added that people who combined such virtues as peace, humility, generosity and selfless service were extremely rare in any society.On the succession plan in Afenifere following Fasoranti’s death, Falae said the Yoruba socio-political organisation would produce a new leader without a contest or internal struggle.
He described Afenifere as a self-perpetuating and self-regulating organisation in which leadership emerged through an established tradition rather than a battle for position.
Falae recalled the succession process following the death of the organisation’s revered leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, saying he had approached the late former Ogun State Governor, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, to ask who would lead the group.He said Onabanjo ruled himself out of consideration because of his health, while also expressing reservations about other prominent figures, including Chief Bola Ige and Chief Lateef Jakande.
Falae recalled that Onabanjo eventually identified the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin as the appropriate successor, insisting that leadership within the organisation had a way of emerging naturally.
He noted that Ajasin, who was a year older than Awolowo, was among the founders of the Action Group (AG) and played a significant role in developing the party’s free education programme
