Afenifere leader Reuben Fasoranti has died at the age of 100, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced on Tuesday, October 20.
The educationist and politician had marked his centenary on May 11. He led the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation and remained associated with its advocacy for restructuring and federalism.
Aiyedatiwa announced the death in a personally signed statement, offering condolences to the family, the people of Akure Kingdom and Ondo State. He said Fasoranti’s counsel and positions on justice and good governance would be missed.
Born in Akure on May 11, 1926, Fasoranti worked as a teacher and school administrator before his political career. Punch’s biographical account records his studies at University College, Ibadan, and further qualifications in education from the University of Hull and Macquarie University.
He established Omolere Nursery School and Akure High School. His political career followed the tradition of Obafemi Awolowo, through involvement in the Action Group and later the Unity Party of Nigeria.
Between 1979 and 1983, he served as finance commissioner under Governor Michael Adekunle Ajasin in the old Ondo State.
Fasoranti became Afenifere leader after the death of Abraham Adesanya. In 2021, he appointed Ayo Adebanjo acting leader and Oladipo Olaitan deputy leader while retaining his position as substantive national leader, according to Punch.
His family suffered a bereavement in July 2019 when his daughter, Funke Olakunrin, was killed by gunmen on the Ondo-Ore Expressway. He is survived by children and other family members.
Sources: Premium Times, Punch, Channels Television
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