Members of the League of Veteran Journalists have joined eminent Nigerians and people all over the world in mourning the passing into glory of the Leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju of Yoruba Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti OFR CFR.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chairman League of Veteran Journalists Banji Ogundele.
The group said it was delighted to note that Chief Fasoranti both in his private and public life spent a century on earth without a stain on his name adding that ‘His character had no blemish.’
The group said further that besides being a man of integrity the centenarian was a study in how to handle personal vicissitudes of life as he bore personal tragedies such as the demise of his wife and the painful circumstance of the murder of his daughter with equanimity and stoic grace.
Part of the statement reads:
‘We recall that long before he became a moral compass of the South-West Chief Fasoranti was a builder of minds as he deployed the power of education to empower people. A man who in his personal and public life exemplified self-discipline honesty and moral rectitude ardently demonstrated the finest _Omoluabi_ ethos of moral cultural and democratic values. Thus through personal examples he imparted discipline knowledge and moral rectitude to generations of leaders in the finest tradition of his hero and mentor Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR SAN.’
Besides his noble achievements in the field of education the veterans noted the late Afenifere leader’s commitment during the struggle spearheaded by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) for the restoration of the June 12.
The presidential election was remarkable as he survived targeted assassination attempts by regime gangsters.
‘In the face of all these he never wavered never bent and never compromised on his vision of impacting positively on society realising a better deal for the people as well as participating in activities meant to institutionalise true federalism and justice for all Nigerians.
‘The League extends its deep condolences to the Fasoranti family the Akure Kingdom Government and people of Ondo State Afenifere family worldwide the Yoruba people and all lovers of democracy in Nigeria.
‘May the soul of Asiwaju Yoruba rest in peace’ the group concluded.