By Adeyinka Adeniran
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has announced the passing into glory of its leader, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, describing him as a humanist, a philanthropist, an exemplary leader, a genuine patriot and a Yoruba leader and an icon who was a model of courage even very heart-rending circumstances.
In a statement by the organization’s national publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere stated that the centenarian, who was also Asiwaju Yoruba, breathed his last at about 4pm on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
He was 100 years old on May 11, this year.
He was 100 years old on May 11, this year.
The first of Afenifere leaders to reach the 100 years’ mark on earth, Fasoranti became the organisation’s number one in November, 2008 succeeding Chief Abraham Adesanya who departed the world in August of the same year, 2008.
Following the footsteps of his predecessors in the office, Fasoranti lived an exemplary life from which individuals and organizations can draw inspirations and model their lives after.
The statement condoled the immediate and extended families of the deceased, Ondo State people and government, Afenifere family at home and in the Diaspora, Yoruba people worldwide and Nigeria, a country that was dear to the deceased.
One of the foot soldiers of Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led Action Group in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence and in the post-independence period, Fasoranti’s lifetime spanned Nigeria’s colonial era, independence, the Civil War, successive military regimes and the return to democratic rule.
An educationist of no mean repute, he established educational institutions that included Omolere Nursery and Primary School, Akure High School and St. Frances’ Academy in Igoba, Akure.
He later served as Ondo State Commissioner for Finance between 1979 and 1983 under the administration of the late Governor Michael Adekunle Ajasin in the old Ondo State.
Like his hero, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his other predecessors in office as Afenifere leader such as Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Abraham Adesanya, Fasoranti, throughout his life, believed that public offices were meant to serve the best interest of the people.
He was a democrat par excellence and participated actively in efforts to restore civil rule in Nigeria on the occasions that the military had made incursions into the political terrain of the country. He was very active in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that was in the forefront of restoring the June 12, 1993 presidential election of Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
Afenifere, according to the statement, will sorely miss this exemplary, unassuming, progressive icon who was a humanist and philanthropist in every sense of it.
“Details of the burial arrangement will be announced later”, the statement added.
