The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed sorrow over the death of elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, describing his passing as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.
According to a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, Abiodun commiserated with Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, other prominent Yoruba leaders, and the family and associates of the deceased.
The governor noted that “Pa Fasoranti, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, lived a remarkable life defined by service, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the Yoruba people and the Nigerian nation.
“The late elder statesman was one of the enduring voices in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, whose courage, convictions and sacrifices helped shape the country’s political development.
“Pa Fasoranti’s role in the struggle for democracy, particularly during the years of military rule, earned him a place among the foremost defenders of democratic governance and constitutional rule in Nigeria.
“The deceased remained steadfast in his advocacy for justice, equity, good governance and restructuring and his principled interventions in national affairs reflected a deep commitment to building a united and prosperous Nigeria.”
Abiodun described Fasoranti as one of the last surviving links to a generation of nationalist-minded leaders who confronted authoritarian rule and championed democratic freedoms, stressing that his death had created a significant void in the Yoruba socio-political landscape.
He said the late Afenifere leader’s legacy would endure through the values he upheld, the causes he championed and the generations of Nigerians inspired by his commitment to democracy and national development.
The governor urged Afenifere, the people of Ondo State, the Yoruba nation and the deceased’s family to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and his enduring contributions to society.
Abiodun prayed that God would grant the departed elder statesman eternal rest and give his family, associates and the entire Yoruba nation the fortitude to bear the loss.
PUNCH Online reports that Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, confirmed his death in a statement he personally issued on Tuesday. https:///breaking-afenifere-leader-reuben-fasoranti-dies-at-100/