The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has described the death of the foremost Yoruba leader and elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as a monumental loss to Ondo State, the Yoruba nation, and the entire country.

Fasoranti, the late Afenifere leader, died on Tuesday at the age of 100 in his country home of Akure, Ondo State capital.

According to Olawande, in a condolence statement issued on Wednesday, the late elder statesman represented a generation of leaders whose lives were defined by courage, integrity, wisdom, and selfless service to humanity.

The Minister noted that Fasoranti’s death was not only a personal loss but also a defining moment for Ondo State and the Yoruba nation, given his extensive contributions to public service, education, and the socio-political development of the people.

Olawande emphasized that the late Afenifere leader devoted his life to causes that transcended personal interests, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to guide and inspire generations of Nigerians.

He stressed that Fasoranti’s life demonstrated that the true worth of leadership lay not in the number of years spent on earth but in the positive impact made on society and the lives of others.

The Minister stated that the deceased’s commitment to justice, accountability, and good governance offered important lessons for leaders, particularly at a time when the country needed individuals prepared to place public interest above personal considerations.

He added that Fasoranti’s life of service showed that leadership was a responsibility that demanded sacrifice, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people.

“Pa Fasoranti’s contributions to education and public service will remain an important part of his legacy. The impact of a life devoted to the common good often extends far beyond the lifetime of the individual,” Olawande said.

The Minister stressed that Fasoranti’s influence on the Yoruba nation went beyond his immediate community, noting that his commitment to the advancement of the people earned him a place among the respected voices in the socio-political affairs of the South-West.

Olawande urged young Nigerians to draw lessons from Fasoranti’s dedication to service and his belief in the need to build a society where fairness, integrity, and good governance remained central to public life.

The Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure, the Ondo State Government, the leadership and members of Afenifere, and the entire Yoruba nation over the loss.