Ooni, Yoruba group celebrate Fasoranti at 97

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has congratulated leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on his 97th birthday anniversary. Ooni, who spoke through the Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, described Fasoranti as a man whose unwavering commitment and visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on the political landscape of Nigeria. He said the elder statesman dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, equality and progress of Nigeria.

SIMILARLY, a civil society group, Congress for Rights of Yoruba Nationalities (CROYN), felicitated with Yoruba people in Nigeria and in the Diaspora as they celebrated the birthday of Fasoranti.

The group, in a statement by its National President, Abiodun Fanoro, after a meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, thanked Afenifere, the socio-cultural umbrella body of the Yoruba race, for organising a befitting lecture, holding today at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, to mark the birthday of the leader of the group.

CROYN congratulated Fasoranti for proving to be a true unifier of the Yoruba race exemplified by the warm hands of fellowship and welcome he extended to those earlier considered members of a supposed faction of Afenifere. It urged his associates, who may not have shared the pan-Yoruba interest he championed in the recent presidential election in the country, to use the auspicious moment of the elder statesman’s birthday and the maturity and large-heartedness displayed by the old teacher to close ranks and work together in the larger interest of the region.

MEANWHILE, Fasoranti has said that with his 97-year sojourn on earth, he has seen the best and worst in life. The nonagenarian, who spoke while celebrating his birthday anniversary at his Akure country home in Ondo State, yesterday, said the Nigeria he dreamt of has not materialised, stressing that the country is fast drifting apart.

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who described Fasoranti as a reference point for quality leadership, said the Yoruba leader is a committed and patriotic Nigerian whose passion and dedication to nation-building and national development is undisputable.

Akeredolu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said Fasoranti is a committed and patriotic Nigerian whose passion and dedication to nation-building and national development is undisputable.

Also, the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, described Fasoranti as “someone who has taught many how to lead. While describing Fasoranti as a man of virtue and honour, the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, said he (Fasoranti) epitomised what the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, stood for.