Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday, mourned the late chief of the Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, describing his dying as the tip of “an extraordinary era.”
Fasoranti died on Tuesday on the age of 100.
In a press release by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo described late Fasoranti as one of many final remaining titans of a technology that laid the inspiration for contemporary Nigeria.
To Obasanjo, “his life was a masterclass in purposeful longevity, leadership without blemish, and an absolute dedication to the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole.”
The former President added that “Baba’s departure marks the end of an extraordinary era. As an educationist, Baba understood early on that building a nation required building its people. Long before he stepped into the turbulent waters of politics, he was in the classrooms, moulding minds, instilling discipline, and building characters as a Principal across various historic institutions.”
Obasanjo recalled that, “his tenure as Commissioner for Finance within the previous Ondo State below the UPN administration stays a shining reference level for fiscal self-discipline, transparency, and accountability – virtues which have change into painfully uncommon in our up to date political panorama.
“When the mantle of main Afenifere fell upon him throughout a interval of fragmentation and nationwide uncertainty, Baba didn’t falter. He stepped up as a unifying anchor.
“He led with a relaxed, stoic, and resolute authority that derived its energy not from loud proclamations, however from the immense ethical weight of his convictions. In occasions of nationwide disaster, he stood firmly in opposition to army dictatorship, braved threats to his life, and remained an unyielding voice for true federalism, justice, and fairness.
“On a personal note, I will always remember Baba’s warmth and his open-door policy. Even when we found ourselves on different sides of political debates, our mutual respect never waned. I remember with fondness visiting him in Akure, where he always offered wise counsel with standard dignity.”
On the late former Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former President stated that the information of the previous governor was obtained with disappointment, noting that “Nigeria has lost a fine gentleman, a dedicated medical professional, and a consummate statesman whose steady hands guided Delta State through critical periods of socio-political development.”
He stated, “I fondly keep in mind my shut interactions with Emmanuel throughout my tenure as President, when he served with distinction below Governor James Ibori, first as Commissioner for Health and later as Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Even throughout these turbulent political eras and the extraordinary regional agitations within the Niger Delta, Emmanuel stood out as an excellent administrator and a relaxed voice of cause.
“Whether we were interfacing on critical healthcare policies or navigating complex Federal-State dynamics, his administrative acumen and loyalty to the peace and progress of Delta State were always evident. It was during those intense years of engagement that I grew to respect his intellect and problem-solving capacity, traits that prepared him seamlessly for the higher calling of leadership when he assumed office as Executive Governor in 2007.”
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