OLABIMTAN MOURNS FASORANTI, DESCRIBES AFENIFERE LEADERS DEMISE AS IRREPARABLE LOSS
The Director-General of the Ondo State Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, has expressed profound sadness over the death of the foremost nationalist and leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Folorunso Fasoranti.
In a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Akure, Olabimtan, a former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, described the death of the elder statesman as shocking and deeply painful.
He noted that Pa Fasoranti, who recently celebrated his centenary birthday, remained an embodiment of progressive political thought and wisdom until his death, describing him as a living repository of knowledge whose contributions to democratic development and progressive politics would remain indelible.
Olabimtan, who expressed deep grief over the passing of the revered Yoruba leader, said his death was a monumental loss not only to his immediate family but also to Ondo State, the Yoruba nation and humanity at large.
The statement reads in part:
“Death is an inevitable end that comes to all mortals. To paraphrase the immortal words of William Shakespeare, the world is a stage on which all men and women are merely players. Pa Fasoranti has played his part creditably well in the theatre of life and has now exited the stage.
“All that remains for us is to emulate his exemplary life, uphold his noble ideals and deploy the values he cherished to the service of humanity, for which he lived and laboured. He departed at a ripe old age after a lifetime of meritorious service to humanity.”
Describing the late Fasoranti as a father figure and confidant, Olabimtan said the deceased was a refined statesman, a committed democrat and an unwavering pillar of progressive politics whose wisdom, integrity and political convictions earned him widespread respect across generations.
He added that his death had created a huge vacuum in the political landscape of Ondo State and among progressives across Nigeria, noting that his wealth of experience and enduring influence would be sorely missed.
“Even at 100, Baba remained mentally alert and actively engaged until his last breath. He was a living encyclopedia of progressive political thought, and his departure has left a vacuum that will be extremely difficult to fill,” Olabimtan stated.
While praying for the peaceful repose of the departed elder statesman, Olabimtan extended his heartfelt condolences to the Fasoranti family, his admirers, followers, associates and well-wishers.
He urged them to take solace in the fact that Pa Fasoranti lived an eventful and fulfilled life, leaving behind an enduring legacy of selfless service, integrity, democratic values and commitment to the common good.
“On behalf of my family and political associates, I extend my deepest condolences to the Ondo State Government, the immediate family of the late Pa Fasoranti, and his numerous friends, admirers and associates.
“Though his departure is a painful and irreparable loss, we are consoled by the enduring legacy he has left behind. May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may God grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this great loss,” Olabimtan concluded.
