Pa Fasoranti asks us not to mourn – Son

The family of the late Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, says it will celebrate his life and legacy as it comes to terms with the loss of the elder statesman, who died at the age of 100.
The Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, said his father had prepared the family for his eventual departure and repeatedly asked them not to mourn when he died.
Taiwo spoke on Tuesday when Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, paid a condolence visit to the family at the late nationalist’s residence. His remarks were contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan.
He described his father as a devoted parent whose firmness, resilience, hard work and love had left the family with a legacy that would be difficult to match.
“We are not mourning Baba. We are rejoicing,” he said, adding that the family was grateful for the values the late elder statesman instilled in them.
According to the SSG, his father often told family members that he had a covenant with God to die at the age of 100 and instructed them not to cry when the time came.
Taiwo said the family would particularly miss his father’s presence and wise counsel, recalling that he remained closely involved in his children’s lives from their elementary education through university.
He described the late Afenifere leader as a man of few words who could communicate effectively without saying much. He also appealed for prayers as the family adjusts to the loss.
Aiyedatiwa, during the visit, described Fasoranti as a humble and kind elder statesman whose influence on governance remained strong despite his advanced age.
The governor said the late nationalist continued to contribute to government decisions, which he cited as evidence of his mental alertness.
He also praised Fasoranti’s contributions to education, saying his influence had helped shape generations of people who later became prominent figures across the world.
Aiyedatiwa said the family and the wider community should celebrate the centenarian’s life and preserve the values he represented.
The governor was accompanied by his deputy, Olayide Adelami; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Segun Odusanya; and other government officials, traditional rulers and Afenifere chieftains.