Ondo government sets up committee for Fasoranti's burial

The Ondo State Government has formed a committee to manage the state burial of Reuben Fasoranti, the former leader of Afenifere, who passed away at the age of 100.

Kayode Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, will chair the committee. They will work with Fasoranti's family and Afenifere leaders to plan a respectful burial for the elder statesman.

Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor's Chief Press Secretary, announced the committee on Thursday. He said the state government approved the burial to honour Mr Fasoranti’s contributions to Ondo State, Yorubaland, and Nigeria.

Eniola Olushola will serve as the committee's secretary. Other members include Gbenga Fasua, Gbenga Atiba, Kosemani Kolawole, Bakkita Bello, Idowu Otetubi, Modupe Martins, George Asonja, Muyiwa Ogunyemi, Stephen Abitogun, and Adetunji Gbenga.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa believes the late Afenifere leader should be honoured for his years of service, wisdom, and selfless leadership. The family has set 17 December for his funeral service and burial.

The committee will make necessary arrangements with the family and Afenifere leaders to ensure a dignified farewell for the late nationalist. The government also confirmed its commitment to making the burial reflect Mr Fasoranti’s contributions to society.

The state did not announce a specific date or detailed programme for the burial. On Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate discussed a motion from Adeniyi Adegbonmire, a senator from Ondo Central. The motion urged the federal government to name an educational institution after Mr Fasoranti to honour his contributions to education and national development.

Mr Fasoranti died on 20 October, at the age of 100. He was born on 11 May 1926 in Uso, in present-day Ondo State. He had a successful career as an educationist before becoming an important figure in progressive politics and the fight for democracy.

His political career was linked to the late Obafemi Awolowo, whose progressive ideals influenced his role in the defunct Action Group and later the Unity Party of Nigeria. From 1979 to 1983, Mr Fasoranti was the commissioner for finance under the late Governor Adekunle Ajasin in the old Ondo State.

He later became a key leader in Afenifere, a socio-political group tied to the progressive tradition associated with Awolowo. After announcing the elder statesman’s death on 20 October, Governor Aiyedatiwa called him a patriarch whose life was marked by service to Ondo State, Yorubaland, and Nigeria.

“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Ondo State, I commiserate with the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure Kingdom, and the entire State over this great loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” the governor said.