Encomium
As leaders across the Southwest region celebrate Pa Reuben Fasoranti, his believe in Nigerians as the nation’s most important resource is commendable according to Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this today in his message at a virtual 94th birthday celebration organized in honour of Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
The Vice President noted that “Being a part of the founding of the Action Group and the various other iterations of that idea, the Unity Party of Nigeria and the Alliance for Democracy, Papa has been in the forefront of propagating the idea, strategies and programmes which recognize that the Nigerian person is our nation’s most important resource.”
Speaking about Fasoranti’s ideas, the VP said, “the progressive tendency came to be expressed in the emphasis on free education, free universal healthcare, access to land and other forms of capital to own, to manage businesses, full employment and a robust social safety net for those without work or those who cannot work. But Papa was not merely involved in formulating ideas and strategies, he also played the practical role of working out, how these egalitarian programmes were to be paid for when he served most creditably as Commissioner for Finance in the government of Papa Ajasin, in the old Ondo State.”
Continuing, he said “I am pleased that there is a clear plan to preserve a part of this incredible legacy by the establishment of the Reuben Fasoranti Centre for the Advancement of Democracy. This is a project that deserves the support of all us, individually and collectively.”
While thanking God for the gift of good health for Pa Fasoranti, Prof. Osinbajo prayed that Fasoranti “will live even longer in excellent health, peace and joy and that the Nigeria of your dreams will emerge.”
Pa Fasoranti is a teacher, administrator, politician and national leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere.
Dignitaries at the occasion include former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governors of Ondo and Oyo States Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN and Engr. Seyi Makinde. Others were Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, who represented the APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Elder Statesman, Chief Bayo Adebanjo and many others.
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
