By Banji Ayoola
As burial plans for the departed Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti concretise, his family has appealed for unity among the members of the organisation to enable it stand solidly in performing its accustomed duties in the Nigerian federation.
Making the passionate appeal on behalf of the family, Olori Rachael Falae, stressed the need for the group to come together as a united force in the interest of the Yoruba people and the Country,
She made the appeal on Tuesday during a formal condolence visit by the group to its departed leader’s family at his Akure home.
In her words, “I am appealing to the Afenifere group that they should please let this attitude remain, that they should work together and ensure that Afenifere stands for something that is good, something unique, something that can bring our people together.
“We must think of the future because the next generation is looking up to us. If there is any difference, they should try to settle it so that papa’s spirit, wherever it is, will be happy.”
On the funeral arrangements, she said, “I myself will be there, my niece will be there, and my grand-nieces and nephews will also be there. We want members of the Afenifere group to be represented, some people from this community, and of course the church, because Papa believed very much in religious life.
“The Anglican Church and state governors will be involved; the governors will decide what they want to do. From about Monday before the funeral, there will be tributes, and we will allocate some days for groups.”
She further stated that Fasoranti was undeterred by challenges and stood by his convictions, stressing that “Once he was convinced about anything, he would go to any length to make sure that he stood by his conviction. So we all loved him.
She said: “The Akure community loved him. When his passing was announced, the Deji of Akure asked, ‘How are we going to find another leader like Baba Fasoranti?’ because difficult matters in Akure were always brought to his house.”
Earlier at its meeting that day at Fasoranti”s home, the group raised a tentative burial committee comprising 32 members.
They are Oba Olu Falae, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Chief Supo Shonibare, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chief Tola Mobulurin, Otunba Dr Samuel Ibikunle, Chief Korede Duyile, and Chief Femi Aluko,
Others include Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams; former governors of Ondo and Ogun States Olusegun Mimiko and Gbenga Daniel; and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele,
They also include Dr Gbola Adetunji, Hon. PWale Oshun, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, Chief Pekun Awobona, and Engr. Bayo Adenekan, Abagun Kole Omololu, Akin Onigbinde, Chief Dare Babarinsa, Dr David Atte, Chief Ayo Abereoran, Hon. Lanre Omisore, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Otunba Deji Wellington, Mrs Nike Olujembola, Mrs Oluwatoyin Falade, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Arc. Goke Omigbodun, and Chief Ademola Folarin.
Fasoranti”s family had l announced December 17, 2026, for his funeral service and interment.
Earlier, the group, through the Chairman, National Executive Committee of Afenifere, who is a former Secretary to the Federal Government, and the Olu of Ilu Abo, Oba Olu Falae, said that the committee, which will work in collaboration with the family’s committee and the government committee, is tasked with organising a befitting burial for the Afenifere Leader
.
Falae said the committee will comprise Afenifere and other factions that previously met at Ogbo, Ogun State.
Falae said the composition of the committee placed on the need for unity among the various groups involved in the burial arrangements and assurance that the committee members will be further expanded; the organisation stressed that any discussion on leadership succession is premature and contrary to Yoruba culture.
According to him, such discussions are inappropriate before the burial, with the meeting noting that it is contrary to Yoruba culture to begin talking about who will succeed a leader before he is buried.
The priority, according to the committee, is to give Papa a befitting burial, after which a credible leader will emerge to lead Afenifere.
The family, speaking through Olori Rachael Falae, described Fasoranti as a quiet, disciplined, and trustworthy leader of high integrity.
She noted that Fasoranti, during his lifetime, balanced his roles as local government chairman and school principal with remarkable dedication, and that his tenure saw the construction of key roads in Akure, including the road from the A Division Police Station to the State Hospital and the road from the NEPA roundabout to the St Thomas’s area.
Her words: “Papa was a very quiet person and highly disciplined, and this discipline he carried even into his political life. He was a leader who could be trusted. He would come in from Oyo, preside over council meetings, spend the weekend with his family, and then go back to Oyo”
