Life and times of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti
PA Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, elder statesman, educationist, politician and leader of Afenifere, was born on May 11, 1926, in Uso, in present-day Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. He lived for 100 years,…
Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti was among the last surviving links to the pre-independence generation of Yoruba political leaders, having lived through colonial rule, the First Republic, military interregnums and Nigeria's return to democracy. As leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation founded on the ideals of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he was a prominent voice on federalism, restructuring and regional interests in national affairs for decades, making him a familiar reference point for successive generations of politicians from the South-West.
His death at the age of 100 has drawn tributes from across the political spectrum, reflecting his standing as an elder statesman whose influence extended beyond party lines. Coverage of his passing has focused on retracing his life story — from his birth in Owo, Ondo State, through his career as an educationist and politician — alongside reactions from public figures mourning his exit as the end of an era for Yoruba political leadership.