PRESIDENT TINUBU: PA FASORANTI REMAINS ARDENT VOICE FOR NIGERIA’S UNITY, CITIZEN’S DIGNITY

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, again, showered encomiums on the leader of the Afenifere socio-political group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, describing him as a steadfast voice for the unity of Nigeria and the dignity of the citizens.

He said the elder statesman has spent most part of his century of life sacrificing his comfort to fight for the under-represented, while lending his voice to causes against oppression.

The President, who stated this on Monday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the 100th Birthday celebration of Chief Fasoranti, thanked the elder statesman for his service to education, democracy, and the cause of justice, as well the wisdom he has offered across generations.

Represented at the birthday bash by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Nigerian leader noted that “to have fought across time for the betterment of one’s people and nation, as Chief Fasoranti has done,” entails bearing scars that become badges of honour.

On behalf of President Tinubu, VP Shettima also commissioned a landmark flyover project, which was eventually named after the celebrant by the state government.

Paying glowing tribute to the celebrant, the President said, “Chief Fasoranti gave voice to the under-represented 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 whom society was tempted to ignore.”

President Tinubu noted that people like Pa Fasoranti have stood out in a country where leaders elected to serve the people end up serving their own selfish interests, even as he observed that “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 maintained, while acknowledging the centenarian’s uncompromising belief in education.

Having participated in defining the destiny of his people, taking part in their politics and “helping to negotiate their dignity, their rights, and the dividends of citizenship due to them,” the President noted that Pa Fasoranti’s unwavering belief in education also sets him apart.

“He was a teacher in his early years, as he remains a teacher today. In the beginning, he stood in the classroom, shaping the generations that came after his, and now his classroom no longer has walls. His blackboard is now the conscience of the nation,” he said.

President Tinubu recalled Pa Fasoranti’s pursuit of a just and fair system despite threats to his life, stating that “even when the climate of the nation punished dissent, even when democracy seemed like a distant dream pursued by weary men, Baba stood firm.”

The Nigerian leader applauded the elder stateman for remaining “a steadfast voice for the dignity of his people and for the unity of this nation on the basis of justice.”

He further recalled that Fasoranti “lent his voice to causes against oppression,” taking into cognizance the fact that “peace without fairness is a fragile peace, and that unity without justice only postpones grievance.”

Earlier, Vice President Shettima, on behalf of President Tinubu, also commissioned a landmark flyover project, which was eventually named after the celebrant by the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Speaking at the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa described Pa Fasoranti as an elder statesman who deserves a state celebration, stressing that his life has become synonymous with integrity and principled leadership, and that he has devoted his life to truth, justice, and the defense of values.

The Governor pointed out that Fasoranti’s life reflects the fact that “public service is not a means to personal gain but a sacred duty,” adding that he never traded principles for convenience.

He seized the moment to name the flyover project at Onyearugbulem-Shagari/Irese Road, along the Ilesha-Akure-Owo Expressway, Akure, earlier commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima, after the celebrant.

On his part, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, presented a documented tribute to the sage on behalf of the people of Ogun State, describing him as an iconic Nigerian.

He prayed Almighty God to continue to bless him with a more prosperous life.

In his centenary birthday speech, read by the celebrant’s younger sister, Olori Rachel Tubosun Falae, Pa Fasoranti thanked President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, governors, royal fathers, the Fasoranti family, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, old students, and visitors for honouring him.

“I have seen colonial rule. I have seen independence. I have seen war and peace. I have seen military rule and democracy. Through it all, one thing has sustained me: the fear of God, hard work, and service to others,” he said.

In politics, he said the Afenifere ideology taught him that leadership is sacrifice.

He urged the younger generation to follow the example of a politician with a large heart, who bears no grudges while in office and leaves office with clean hands and without bitterness.

Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications
(Office of The Vice President)
11th May, 202