Fasoranti’s death leaves huge void in Yoruba nation, says Falae, Ondo NUJ
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The death of elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, has continued to attract tributes, with former Minister of Finance, Oba Olu Falae, describing him as an exceptional generational figure whose rare virtues might not be found in another thousand years.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, has also lamented the death of the centenarian, declaring that the Yoruba race would sorely miss his unparalleled leadership qualities, wisdom and commitment to justice, good governance and the unity of the people.
Falae, who spoke during a visit to the residence of the late Yoruba leader in Akure, Ondo State, said Fasoranti represented an exceptional breed of leaders whose humility, peaceful disposition and selfless service distinguished him throughout his life.
The former minister, who said he had known Fasoranti intimately for more than 60 years, recalled that he never saw the deceased quarrel with anyone or raise his voice at people, even during heated political meetings.
According to him, the late Afenifere leader possessed an uncommon ability to listen patiently to opposing views and mediate disputes, regardless of whether they originated from the community, church or political arena.
Falae said: “I’m going to describe Baba Fasoranti as an exceptional generational man, one in a thousand years. I’ve known him intimately for more than 60 years. And in all that time, I’ve never heard him quarrel with anybody, shout at anyone, even in political meetings.”
He added that Fasoranti was always willing to bring disputing parties together, listen to their grievances and help them find common ground, a quality he said had become increasingly rare in public life.
“No one is perfect, but Baba is as near perfect a human being as I believe you can get in the fallen world,” Falae said, underscoring the late statesman’s extraordinary character and his reputation as a man of peace.
Beyond politics and community leadership, Falae recalled Fasoranti’s remarkable contributions to education, particularly during his tenure as the founding principal of Iju Itaogbolu Grammar School, where he extended opportunities to pupils from poor backgrounds who might otherwise have been denied secondary education.
He explained that Fasoranti admitted many disadvantaged pupils and allowed them to complete their secondary education on credit, giving them the opportunity to repay the assistance after leaving school.
For Falae, the gesture reflected a deep understanding of the relationship between education, social mobility and the responsibility of the privileged to uplift the less fortunate.
He said Fasoranti’s death had created an enormous vacuum in the political, religious and social life of Akure, St. David’s Church, Ondo State and the entire Yoruba nation, describing him as an exemplary figure whom people were proud to know and associate with.
The former minister’s tribute came as the Ondo State Council of the NUJ expressed its condolences to the state government, the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure Kingdom and the entire Yoruba race over the death of the revered patriarch.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, and Secretary, Comrade Olaoluwa Meshack, on October 20, 2026, Ondo NUJ described Fasoranti as an embodiment of wisdom, integrity and selfless service whose life was devoted to the development of Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.
The council said the elder statesman exemplified the traditional Yoruba values of Omoluabi, particularly integrity, discipline, humility and a strong commitment to the common good.
It added that Fasoranti remained a committed democracy activist and one of the last prominent figures in the progressive political tradition associated with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
According to the NUJ, his passing would leave a significant vacuum in the political family of the South-West, given his longstanding commitment to justice, responsible governance and the unity of the Yoruba people.
The union also extended its condolences to the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, and the entire Fasoranti family, describing the deceased as a selfless disciplinarian whose contributions to national development transcended political affiliations.
Attention has also turned to the future of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation that Fasoranti led, following the departure of a figure whose authority was built on decades of service, experience and moral influence.
On the question of succession, Falae expressed confidence that the organisation would navigate the transition without internal conflict, explaining that its leadership tradition was based on consensus rather than competition for positions.
He said Afenifere was a self-perpetuating and self-regulating organisation in which leaders emerged through a process of recognition and acceptance by the organisation’s established leadership.
Recounting the succession process following the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Falae recalled how the late Bisi Onabanjo identified Chief Adekunle Ajasin as the appropriate person to lead the organisation after Awolowo’s death.
He also recalled that following Ajasin’s death, Chief Abraham Adesanya became leader and subsequently nominated Fasoranti as acting leader when his health began to fail.
Falae expressed optimism that the same tradition would guide Afenifere in selecting another leader, urging confidence in the organisation’s established process and expressing hope that the transition would be peaceful.
