The President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has expressed profound sadness over the death of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, the revered elder statesman and National Leader of Afenifere, who passed away at the age of 100.

Akpabio described the passing of Pa Fasoranti as a profound loss to his family, the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole, noting that the deceased belonged to a distinguished generation of Nigerians whose lives were defined by service, conviction and an abiding commitment to the common good.

The Senate President said Pa Fasoranti’s life of a century was a remarkable testament to the enduring values of integrity, courage, selflessness and devotion to public service. As a prominent voice in Nigeria’s socio-political development and a respected leader of Afenifere, he made lasting contributions to political discourse, democratic governance and the pursuit of justice.

According to Akpabio, the late elder statesman’s legacy transcended ethnic and political boundaries, serving as a reminder that principled leadership, constructive engagement and respect for democratic ideals remain indispensable to national progress.

“Pa Reuben Fasoranti was one of those rare elder statesmen whose lives embodied the wisdom of experience and the strength of conviction. His passing is a painful loss, not only to his immediate family and the Yoruba people, but also to the entire Nigerian nation.

“At 100, Baba Fasoranti leaves behind an enduring legacy of service, courage and fidelity to his convictions. His life reminds us that true leadership is measured not merely by the positions we occupy, but by the values we uphold, the people we serve and the positive impact we leave on society.

“Though he has departed, the principles he stood for and the example he set will continue to inspire generations of Nigerians,” Akpabio said.

The President of the Senate extended his heartfelt condolences to the Fasoranti family, the leadership and members of Afenifere, the people of Akure, the government and people of Ondo State, and the entire Yoruba nation over the irreparable loss.

He urged the bereaved family to draw strength from the knowledge that their patriarch lived a long and consequential life, leaving behind a legacy worthy of honour and emulation.

Akpabio prayed that Almighty God would grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss and that the soul of the departed elder statesman would find peaceful repose.

“May the memory of Pa Reuben Fasoranti remain a source of inspiration, and may his life of service continue to remind us of our collective responsibility to build a just, united and prosperous Nigeria,” the Senate President added.