President Bola Tinubu on Monday paid glowing tribute to the leader of the Afenifere socio-political group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, describing him as a steadfast advocate for Nigeria’s unity and the dignity of its citizens.

The President said the elder statesman had spent much of his century-long life sacrificing personal comfort in defence of the underrepresented and speaking out against oppression.

Tinubu spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during activities marking Fasoranti’s 100th birthday celebration.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President commended the Afenifere leader for his enduring contributions to education, democracy and the pursuit of justice, as well as for the wisdom he has shared across generations.

According to him, “To have fought across time for the betterment of one’s people and nation, as Chief Fasoranti has done, is to bear scars that have become badges of honour.”

On behalf of the President, Shettima also commissioned a landmark flyover in Akure, later named after the centenarian by the Ondo State Government.

Paying tribute to Fasoranti, Tinubu said: “Chief Fasoranti gave voice to the underrepresented and sacrificed his comfort in doing so. He rejected the convenient silence of the privileged and embraced the burden of advocacy, the loneliness of principle and the risk of standing with those society was tempted to ignore.”

The President noted that at a time when some leaders place personal interests above public service, Fasoranti had remained a symbol of principled leadership and compassion.

“When public duty becomes private appetite, the nation is made unsafe for the vulnerable. When power forgets compassion, the weak are abandoned to the cold margins of society. This is where people like our celebrant stand out,” he said.

Tinubu also highlighted Fasoranti’s lifelong commitment to education, recalling his years as a teacher and mentor.

“He was a teacher in his early years, and he remains a teacher today. In the beginning, he stood in the classroom shaping generations after him. Today, his classroom no longer has walls; his blackboard is the conscience of the nation,” he stated.

The President further recalled Fasoranti’s steadfast pursuit of justice and democracy despite intimidation and threats to his life.
“Even when the climate of the nation punished dissent, even when democracy seemed like a distant dream pursued by weary men, Baba stood firm,” he added.

Tinubu applauded the elder statesman for remaining “a steadfast voice for the dignity of his people and for the unity of this nation founded on justice.”

He added that Fasoranti consistently spoke against oppression because he understood that “peace without fairness is fragile, and unity without justice only postpones grievance.”

Earlier, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described Fasoranti as an elder statesman whose life embodied integrity, truth and principled leadership.

According to the governor, the Afenifere leader had demonstrated that “public service is not a means to personal gain but a sacred duty,” noting that he never traded principle for convenience.
Aiyedatiwa thereafter announced the naming of the newly commissioned Onyearugbulem-Shagari/Irese Road flyover along the Ilesha-Akure-Owo Expressway after Fasoranti.

Also speaking, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun presented a tribute on behalf of the people of Ogun State, describing Fasoranti as an iconic Nigerian and praying for continued strength and good health for the elder statesman.