President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the National Leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on his 98th birthday.
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has also expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for the life of its leader.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu described Pa Fasoranti as a paragon of integrity and peerless leader with a natural agency for rallying minds to the cause of peace, unity and development.
The statement read: “President Bola Tinubu extends his warm congratulations to Pa Reuben Fasoranti, National Leader of Afenifere, on the special occasion of his 98th birthday.
“President Tinubu joins family, friends, and associates to celebrate a paragon of integrity and peerless leader with a natural agency for rallying minds to the cause of peace, unity and development.
“The President affirms that Pa Fasoranti, as the leader of the respected Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, has brought honour and dignity to the organisation and has also honed its voice as a noble and trenchant mouthpiece of the people.
“The President extols the sacrifices and painstaking contributions of the elder statesman to the development of Nigeria as a veteran teacher, seasoned administrator and exceptional politician.
“The President thanks Pa Fasoranti for his support and generous measure of wise counsel, assuring him that the beacon of truth, fairness, equity, peace and unity will always be held up.
“President Tinubu prays to God Almighty to grant the elder statesman more years in excellent health, while wishing him joy and happiness on this momentous day and always.”
Afenifere in a release signed by National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, said that Pa Fasoranti’s life “is a study in geniality, intellectualism, team-playing, philanthropy, communality, religiosity and humanness.”
According to the group, Fasoranti is an embodiment of the Omoluabi ethos that sum up the characteristics of a man of impeccable integrity.
“The record of his years in the public service is unblemished. His activities during and after retirement have always been geared towards the enhancement of the situation around him. Besides providing succour where needed, he is also a motivator. These attributes have not only endeared him to many, they also depict him as a person who inspires,” the statement noted.
Afenifere added that Fasoranti is also exemplary in how to cope with fortitude going by some challenges he has faced in life.
“His conduct since he chose to tread on the noble path charted by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, ultimately elevated him to the pedestal of a statesman,” it added.
While rejoicing that its leader, Afenifere prayed for many more years, possibly decades, for him.
The group called on the young ones to emulate the attributes and the lifestyle of the nonagenarian.
