Aiyedatiwa Constitutes State Burial Committee for Pa Fasoranti

The Ondo State Government has constituted a 13-member committee to organise a befitting state burial for the late Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, CFR, who died on October 20, 2026, at the age of 100.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa announced the committee on Thursday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan. The panel is chaired by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, CON, with Apostle Eniola Olushola as secretary.

Other members are Hon. Gbenga Fasua, Mr Gbenga Atiba, Mrs Kosemani Kolawole, Rt. Hon. Bakkita Bello, Hon. Idowu Otetubi, Erelu Modupe Martins, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Mr George Asonja, Esq., Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi, Hon. Stephen Abitogun and Mr Adetunji Gbenga.

The committee is mandated to work closely with the Fasoranti family and the leadership of Afenifere to organise a dignified burial programme that reflects the late elder statesman’s immense contributions to the development of Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said Pa Fasoranti deserved to be celebrated even in death for his life of service, wisdom and selfless leadership.

The family had earlier announced that the centenarian will be buried on December 17, 2026. According to a statement by his son, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti (also Secretary to the Ondo State Government), a Christian wake-keeping service will hold on Wednesday, December 16, at 4 p.m. at the late patriarch’s residence within the Omolere Nursery and Primary School compound in Akure.

The funeral service and interment will take place on Thursday, December 17, at 10 a.m. at St. David’s Cathedral, Ijomu, Akure, with burial following immediately at the church cemetery.

Guests will be received at the residence after the interment. An outing and thanksgiving service is scheduled for Sunday, December 20, at the same cathedral.

Pa Fasoranti, fondly known as Asiwaju Yoruba, was born on May 11, 1926, in Uso, in present-day Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

An educationist and lifelong progressive, he founded and headed several schools, including Anglican Grammar School, Iju-Itaogbolu (where he served as founding principal for 14 years), Omolere Nursery and Primary School, Akure High School, and St. Frances’ Academy in memory of his late wife.

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He served as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State between 1979 and 1983 under Governor Michael Adekunle Ajasin. A committed Awoist, he was a founding figure in Afenifere and led the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation from 2008 until his death, succeeding Chief Abraham Adesanya. He played active roles in the pro-democracy struggle and remained a respected voice of principle and counsel across generations.

President Bola Tinubu, governors, the Awolowo family and several national figures have paid tribute to him since his peaceful passing at his Akure residence. Afenifere has also set up its own burial committee to work with the family and the state government.

The state burial is intended to honour a man whose century-long life embodied service, integrity and the progressive ideals that shaped modern Yorubaland and Nigeria.