The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere has announced plans to give its late leader Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti a befitting burial.
The organisation also expressed appreciation to individuals and groups commiserating with it over the death of the centenarian assuring members and the public that it remained united despite his demise.
Afenifere National Publicity Secretary Comrade Jare Ajayi disclosed this in a statement adding that the Chairman of the National Executive Committee Oba Olu Falae was working with the family to constitute a burial committee.
According to the statement the committee will oversee arrangements for a befitting farewell for the late Asiwaju Yoruba.
Ajayi also dismissed claims of a leadership crisis within the organisation.
He said Oba Falae would lead delegates from Afenifere branches across Yorubaland to pay a formal condolence visit to the family on Tuesday October 27 2026.
The visit will take place on the eighth day after Fasoranti’s death a day known in Yoruba tradition as ‘Ojo Kejo’ which carries symbolic significance.
The delegation is expected to include representatives from the organisation’s state branches in Kogi Kwara Oyo Osun Ogun Ekiti Lagos and Ondo states.
The statement indicated that members of Afenifere worldwide are presently preoccupied with how to give their leader a glorious burial.
‘Our attention presently is on how to give our leader and Asiwaju Yoruba a glorious burial that he deserves. It would be a height of irresponsibility to be talking about leadership when the remains of the respected leader have not been interred. Such is very much against Yoruba principles’ Ajayi’s statement read in part.
He added that in due time everything would be laid bare for the public.
Chief Fasoranti breathed his last on Tuesday October 20th at the age of 100 a few months after he celebrated his centenary birthday on May 11 2026.
He gave the details of the funeral programmes as follows:
‘A Christian wake-keeping service will be held on Wednesday December 16 2026. The venue is the premises of Omolere Nursery and Primary School within the late leader’s estate in the Fiwasaye area of Akure.
‘The funeral service will be on Thursday December 17th at St. David’s Cathedral Ijomu Akure.
Interment will follow immediately at the church’s cemetery. Guests will be entertained at the leader’s residence while the Thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday December 20th at the same St. David’s Cathedral Ijomu Akure.’
Ajayi quoted Afenifere Exco Chairman Oba Falae as describing Papa Fasoranti as someone who would be sorely missed.
‘He was a great man whose legacy of firmness resilience humaneness hard work and exemplary deeds remains as a beacon for us.
‘We are celebrating the leader’s life rather than grieving because he had lived a purposeful and fulfilling life’.