President Bola Tinubu, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (BTO), have celebrated elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as he clocks 100 years, praising his contributions to nation-building and the development of the Yoruba nation.
The leaders paid tribute to Fasoranti at the centennial birthday lecture themed “A Century of Courage and Stewardship of Yorùbá Democratic Legacy,” held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. They described the elder statesman as a man of principle whose wisdom, counsel, and commitment to national development have remained relevant over the decades.
Represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, President Tinubu described Fasoranti as a pillar of Yoruba culture and an outstanding pan-Nigerian patriot whose influence extends beyond the South-West. Tinubu noted that describing Fasoranti merely as an illustrious son of the Yoruba race would diminish the significance of his contributions to Nigeria, as his legacy has established him as a pan-Nigerian leader. The President also acknowledged Fasoranti’s contributions through his writings and the personal advice he has offered him over the years.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended Fasoranti for his “distinctive service to the nation” and continued relevance in national discourse. He described the Afenifere leader as a steadfast moral compass and a guiding force in contemporary Nigerian politics, citing his commitment to principled leadership, democracy, and the advancement of the Yoruba nation. According to Aiyedatiwa, Fasoranti’s century-long life, marked by decades of selfless service and dedication to good governance, remains an inspiration to political leaders across the country. He noted that the elder statesman’s continued willingness to offer patriotic counsel on critical national issues at 100 is a testament to his character and lifelong devotion to Nigeria and the South-West.
In his remarks, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (BTO), highlighted Pa Fasoranti’s remarkable journey through Nigeria’s history, noting his steadfast support for Afenifere and NADECO in defence of the people’s mandate. “At 100, Chief Fasoranti’s extraordinary journey as a living metaphor for integrity, courage and dedicated service to Nigeria, remains a towering symbol of continuity, conviction, and quiet strength,” BTO remarked. He emphasised that the elder statesman’s impact is written in the enduring architecture of Nigeria’s democracy, justice, and communal progress.
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