Akure — The eldest child of Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, has said the elder statesman d!ed peacefully in his sleep at the age of 100.
Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti disclosed this in an interview following the dath of his father on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at about 4 p.m.
He said the family was grateful for the life and legacy of the late Afenifere leader, adding that rather than mourn him, they would celebrate his longevity and contributions to society.
“Baba passed on this evening around 4 p.m. peacefully in his room, in his bed. About 4 p.m., 20th of October 2026, Baba was 100 years old.
“He turned 100 in May. We were all looking forward to his 101st birthday, but God knows best. We’re happy, we thank God for his life and for the impactful life he lived.
“I don’t count it as a mourning, but I count it as time to celebrate his longevity and his influence and impact in the lives of Nigerians, especially Yoruba people. The family is very grateful for the support,” he said.
Reflecting on what he would miss most about his father, Taiwo described him as a man of few words but great wisdom who remained steadfast in the face of adversity. He said their close relationship in recent years had afforded him the opportunity to enjoy personal conversations with the elder statesman.
“My day starts with seeing him in the morning and seeing him when I get back from the office. No matter how late it is, he will still be up waiting for me to come in.
“I just want to thank God that I will remember a father who was very affirmative, very stern, but passed on his messages with little or without threat. He will communicate with you in a low voice, but the message is full of meaning. I think we will miss that in this family.
“Baba was an educationist to the core. Even until a few weeks ago, he still went out of his house to one of his schools,” he added.
Taiwo called on family members, friends, colleagues and admirers of the late elder statesman to honour his memory by supporting the education of children who might otherwise lack access to schooling, noting that his father believed people who had benefited from their communities should give back through meaningful service.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa earlier announced the death of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, describing him as a patriarch and a beacon of wisdom, integrity and selfless service whose century-long life was marked by uncommon commitment to the development of Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.
“His counsel, fatherly guidance and principled stand on issues of justice and good governance will be sorely missed. He lived a fulfilled life and left indelible footprints of honour and legacy for generations to come,” the governor said.
President Bola Tinubu also mourned the elder statesman, describing him as an icon, a beacon of principle and one of the last great titans of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive family. Tinubu noted that Fasoranti’s life, spanning a century, was a lesson in integrity, discipline, selflessness and unwavering commitment to the Yoruba people and the unity and progress of Nigeria.
Born on May 11, 1926, Pa Fasoranti was a prominent educationist, politician and pro-democracy activist. He studied English and Geography at University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan), obtained a postgraduate diploma in Education from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, and a master’s degree in Education Administration and School Management from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.
He served as a teacher and principal at several schools, including as founding principal of Iju-Itaogbolu Grammar School, and later founded Omolere Nursery and Primary School and Akure High School. Between 1979 and 1983, he served as Commissioner for Finance in the Unity Party of Nigeria government of the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin in Ondo State.
A committed disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Fasoranti was associated with the Action Group and later the Unity Party of Nigeria. He rose to become National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere following the death of Pa Abraham Adesanya and remained a respected voice on Yoruba interests, justice and good governance.
He is survived by children, including Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, grandchildren and other relations. His wife, Frances Oladiwura Awosika, died in 1991. The family suffered another tragedy in July 2019 when his daughter, Funke Olakunrin, was killed by gunmen along the Ondo-Ore Expressway.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.
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