By Banji Ayoola
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has promised to uphold, and improve on the legacy of unusual integrity and courage of its departed leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti.
Fasoranti, widely respected by members of the group, constituted mainly by the followers of the former Yoruba Leader, and ex-Premisr of the defunct Western Region, the legendary Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, his Akure community, Ondo State and across Yorubaland, for his rare discipline, integrity and selfless commitment to the service of his people and Country, Nigeria, died peacefully at home on Tuesday last week, five months after he marked his 100th birthday
Formally expressing its condolences to the its departed leader’s immediate and extended family, the association described Fasoranti as an embodiment of courage, integrity, humility and an unwavering commitment to justice and unity.
In a formal condolence message delivered personally to the family at Fasoranti’s Akure home on Tuesday by a former Secretary to the Federal Government who also serves as the Chairman, Afenifere National Executive Committee, and Olu of Ilu-Abo, Oba Samuel Oluyemi Falae, on behalf of the Afenifere family worldwide, the group said that the elder statesman’s death had created a void difficult to fill.
However, the group expressed confidence that Fasoranti’s enduring legacy would continue to inspire the present and future generations.
According to The Hope, Falaee conveyed the group’s sympathies to the Fasoranti family, acknowledging the pain and profound sense of loss occasioned by the departure of a leader whose life and values, according to him, left an enduring imprint on his family, the Yoruba people and Nigeria at large.
Fasoranti, whom the Afenifere described as an indefatigable leader, was celebrated for his courage, resilience, humility, simplicity and steadfast commitment to justice and unity.
He also highlighted his integrity, love for others and ability to provide strength and reassurance during difficult times, describing him as a dependable source of inspiration and a beacon of faith and hope.
According to him, the late leader’s virtues would continue to serve as a foundation for sustaining his ideals and ensuring continuity in the pursuit of the causes he championed throughout his lifetime.
Reflecting on the qualities that defined the late elder statesman’s life, he described him as an inspiring leader whose courage and resilience provided an example for others to emulate.
He also portrayed him as a man of Christ-like humility and simplicity, whose dedication to justice and unity remained central to his public life.
He further acknowledged his reputation for integrity, compassion and unwavering support for others, noting that these qualities would continue to provide guidance and inspiration long after his passing.
He stated that for Afenifere, Fasoranti’s departure represents not only a personal loss to his immediate and extended family but also a moment of reflection on the values and principles that shaped his leadership.
He expressed the hope that the late leader’s legacy would remain a dependable source of strength for generations yet unborn, stressing that the virtues associated with his life would help sustain the ideals he represented.
Beyond expressing condolences, he offered prayers for the bereaved family, asking for God’s continued love, grace and mercy to sustain them through their period of mourning and also prayed for the continued unity, peace and progress of Yorubaland and Nigeria, expressing hope that these aspirations would remain assured through divine guidance.
In a solemn tribute, the organisation prayed for the peaceful repose of Fasoranti’s soul, expressing confidence that the principles he upheld would continue to inspire those who shared his vision for society.
He concluded his message with prayers for the continued strength of the Fasoranti family, the survival of the organisation and the peace and progress of Yorubaland and Nigeria.
Also speaking, former Secretary-General of Afenifere, Senator Dr. Femi Okurounmu described the departed Yoruba leader as an embodiment of integrity, humility and selfless public service, urging that his commitment to the welfare of the people and the protection of Yoruba interests should be sustained.
Okurounmu, in his condolence message, expressed sympathy with the deceased’s family, members of the Afenifere family worldwide and Nigerians, describing the late leader’s life as an example of principled leadership and patriotic service.
Represented by the Secretary General, Afenifere, Chief Ademola Folarin, he praised the deceased for continuing the struggle for the liberation of Yoruba people from what he described as savagery, as well as the protection of their dignity, rights, values and territorial integrity.
According to him, the late leader’s public life was defined by a commitment to the common good rather than personal enrichment noting that throughout his years in public service, the deceased did not use his position to enrich himself or his family but instead worked to improve the welfare of the wider society.
Okurounmu lamented what he described as the growing tendency to use politics as a means of accumulating wealth, contrasting it with the deceased’s belief that political office should be an opportunity to serve the people.
He said the late leader consistently demonstrated through his conduct and teachings that public office should be guided by integrity, sacrifice and a genuine commitment to the greatest good of society.
The former Afenifere secretary-general also described the deceased as a product of principled policies, ideologically driven political parties and leadership founded on character.
He acknowledged that the late leader’s efforts to instil these values in a new generation of politicians had achieved only limited success but pledged that the struggle to promote responsible and principled politics would continue.
Beyond his public service, Okurounmu highlighted the deceased’s personal qualities, describing him as calm, humble, soft-spoken, patient and resilient.
He said these attributes enabled the late leader to defuse tensions, manage disagreements and contribute to peace during periods of crisis.
Responding on behalf of the Fasoranti family, Olori Racheal Oluwatunbosun Falae nee Fasoranti expressed appreciation to Afenifere for its support for the family and called on members to unite, resolve internal differences and preserve the group’s legacy for future generations, with an appeal to uphold the values and vision of its founding fathers.
According to her, there is need for unity, cooperation and peaceful reconciliation among members of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, stressing that collective progress and the preservation of its heritage depend on the ability of its members to work together despite their differences.
She noted that the responsibility to preserve that legacy extends beyond the present generation, as younger people are looking up to their elders for guidance, leadership and direction.
She added that members must recognise the importance of their heritage and remain committed to safeguarding it for the benefit of those who will come after them.
She called on members of Afẹ̀nifẹ́rẹ̀ to put aside their differences and embrace a spirit of cooperation in the interest of the group’s continued relevance and progress adding that members must recognise that disagreements, while sometimes inevitable in any organisation, should not be allowed to undermine their shared identity or weaken their collective purpose.
Rather than allowing differences to deepen divisions, members were encouraged to pursue dialogue, understanding and peaceful settlement as the most effective ways to maintain harmony within the group.
