TRIBUTE TO AN IMMORTAL LIGHT: PA REUBEN FAMUYIDE FASORANTI, CFR (1926-2026)
…A Cradle Light That Can Never Be Put Out in Akure Kingdom, Ondo State and Nigeria
By Adeniyi Adetunji
If Akure has a conscience, it was Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti. If Yorubaland had a compass, it was Baba.
If Nigeria ever needed a definition of discipline, integrity, and selfless service, his 100-year sojourn on earth gave us that definition.
Pa Fasoranti was not just a man; he was an institution. A cradle light in Akure Kingdom whose flame burned for a century and can never be extinguished.
Born on May 11, 1926, in Uso, Baba rose from a village boy to a global scholar — Ondo Boys High School, Yaba Higher College, University College Ibadan, University of Hull in the United Kingdom, and Macquarie University in Australia. Yet, with all his degrees, he chose the classroom over the boardroom.
As the founding Principal of Anglican Grammar School, Iju-Itaogbolu in 1957, and later Oyemekun Grammar School, Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti and many others, he raised generations of leaders. After retirement, he still went back to build — Omolere Nursery and Primary School, Akure High School, and St. Frances Academy, Igoba, in memory of his beloved wife.
A Disciplinarian Per Excellence.Baba was discipline personified. A man who believed that public office is public trust. This virtue shone brightest when he served as the Honourable Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State from 1979 to 1983 under the legendary Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin As a core Awoist and disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he managed Ondo State’s finances with such prudence that it enabled the faithful implementation of the UPN’s cardinal programmes — Free Education, Free Healthcare, Rural Development and Full Employment.
Even when he had every opportunity to acquire wealth, Baba refused. While serving as a chairman of the old Akure local government, he refused to take a kobo from the council because he already had a job as a Principal. As Commissioner, his official vehicle never slept in his house — his daughter recalled that the car must be returned to the office after work. That was Baba.
He even allowed the government to take over his own private school without demanding compensation because, to him, public good was greater than private gain.
Under Ajasin and Fasoranti’s sound fiscal management, the old Ondo State witnessed an industrial spring — Oluwa Glass Factory, Ifon Ceramics, Okitipupa Oil Palm, Owena Hotels and many others. Baba was the financial engineer behind that golden era.
When the military truncated democracy, Baba did not run. He stood firm with NADECO, survived an assassination attempt in 1996, and became the National Leader of Afenifere, the voice of justice, restructuring, and true federalism.
This is a century of honour, unblemished service, and principled living.Today,the good people of Akure celebrate him, and Ondo State bid him fare well . Yorubaland Miss a man of valour . Nigeria salutes his courage .
The physical man has gone, but the light remains. For a light that lit the path for thousands of children, for industries, for democracy and for integrity — such a light can never be put out.
Sun re o, Baba Olóòtítọ́.
Sun re o, Afenifere.
May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Hon. Adeniyi Adetunji
Akure
Ondo State .
