A former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has described the demise of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, as a profound loss to Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.

Mimiko in his tribute described Pa Fasoranti as more than an elder statesman, stressing that he was a custodian of a political tradition, a devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a man whose life embodied the enduring virtues of discipline, integrity, courage and service.

The former governor noted that as an educationist, administrator, politician, Afenifere leader and pro-democracy activist, Pa Fasoranti distinguished himself across generations.

He maintained that his service as Commissioner for Finance in the administration of the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin was a defining expression of his commitment to public probity and responsible governance.

“His subsequent leadership of the progressive movement, particularly as the leader of Afenifere until his demise, reflected a lifelong conviction that politics must be anchored in principle and directed towards the welfare of the people,” Mimiko stated.

According to the former governor, Pa Fasoranti provided wise, principled and steady guidance to the organisation and to the global Yoruba political family.

“He carried the responsibility with dignity, courage and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of social justice, good governance, federalism and the advancement of the Yoruba people within a united and prosperous Nigeria and in the diaspora.

“He belonged to a generation for whom public service was a duty, not an avenue for private enrichment; for whom political convictions were not disposable conveniences; and for whom the struggle for a better society demanded consistency, sacrifice and courage.

“His steadfastness through the difficult years of military rule and his commitment to democratic ideals remain important lessons for our country.

“For us in Ondo State, his passing is a profound loss. We have lost a father figure whose long life connected our political present to some of the most consequential chapters of our collective history.

“His was a generation that understood the value of institutions, the responsibilities of leadership and the need to preserve a political culture in which the public good must always take precedence over personal interest,” Mimiko stated.

Mimiko noted that at over a century lived, Pa Fasoranti left behind more than the memories of a long and eventful life as well as a standard by which leadership may be judged and a legacy that challenges younger generations to pursue public life with honour, courage and an abiding sense of responsibility.

The former governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure, the Afenifere family and all those who mourn this monumental loss, praying that God grants Baba eternal rest and comforts his family and all who mourn him.