“MY FATHER HAD A COVENANT WITH GOD TO DIE AT 100” — TAIWO FASORANTI REVEALS

Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, the eldest child of the late Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has revealed that his father had a covenant with God to die at the age of 100, and repeatedly instructed his family not to cry when he eventually passed away.

The disclosure came on Tuesday night when Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa paid a condolence visit to the family residence in Akure.

THE COVENANT

Speaking to the governor, Taiwo, who serves as the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, said the family was grateful for the visit and would celebrate their father’s life rather than mourn his death.

He disclosed that his father often told the family he had a covenant with God to die at the age of 100 and repeatedly instructed them not to cry when he eventually passed away.

“We are not mourning Baba. We are rejoicing. Baba has left us a big pair of shoes to step into, but we can only thank God for the legacy of firmness, resilience, hard work and love that he left us with,” he said .

THE FINAL MOMENTS

Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwo had told journalists that his father passed on peacefully in his room at about 4 p.m. on October 20, 2026.

“Baba passed on this evening around 4 p.m. peacefully in his room, in his bed. About 4 p.m., 20th of October 2026. Baba was 100 years old. He turned 100 in May, we’re all looking forward to his 101st birthday, but God knows best,” he said .”We’re happy, we thank God for his life and for the impactful life he lived. I don’t count it as a mourning, but I count it as time to celebrate his longevity and his influence and impact in the lives of Nigerians, especially Yoruba people as well. The family is very grateful for the support”.

THE MAN HE KNEW

Taiwo described his father as a man of few words who communicated his message quietly but effectively .

“I think his dominion, even in the face of adversities, he was a man of little words, full of wisdom. And I thank God that the last couple of years I’ve been able to see that and enjoy one-on-one conversations with him,” he said .”I think my day starts with seeing him in the morning and seeing him when I get back from the office. No matter how late it is, he will still be up waiting for me to come in. I just want to thank God that I will remember a father who was very affirmative, very stern, but passed on his messages with little or without threat. He will communicate with you in a low voice, but the message is full of meaning. I think we will miss that in this family”.

THE LEGACY

Taiwo said his father was an educationist to the core, noting that even until a few weeks before his death, he still visited one of his schools.

“Baba was an educationist. He was a leader that wanted people to give back to the community they served. He was a selfless person. So, I think people who knew him should take a cue from that. A life of service. Baba believed that you must be educated. Education is key to him. So those of us who met him, his friends, his family members, colleagues, admirers should look for a child, educate that child. Sow into the lives of those people. Make sure people are educated. And also be a community person. Give back to your community. That’s what I would tell them,” he said .

He disclosed that the family already has a foundation that has been offering scholarships to many children silently, promising that they would sustain the programme in memory of his father.

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“Baba already has a foundation. We have a family foundation. When he turned 90, the foundation that was established, it has been a foundation that has provided a lot of scholarships, quietly, to so many children. Secondary, all over the country. University, all over the country. So the foundation will continue to do that. We, the children, will make sure we continue to allow that to flourish in the memory of Baba,” he said.

THE GOVERNOR’S TRIBUTE

Governor Aiyedatiwa said the late elder statesman and Afenifere leader continued to influence government decisions positively even at the age of 100.

He described Fasoranti as a man whose counsel was sought and valued, and whose legacy would endure in Ondo State and across Yorubaland.

WHY IT MATTERS

Pa Reuben Fasoranti was one of the most respected elder statesmen in Nigeria, a leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, and a voice of wisdom in national discourse.

His death at 100 marks the end of an era. But his son’s revelation of the covenant he had with God offers a different lens through which to view his passing — not as a tragedy, but as a fulfilment.

He lived to 100. He passed peacefully in his bed. And he told his family not to cry.

For the Fasoranti family, the loss is immense. But they are choosing to celebrate.

ValidViewNetwork extends its condolences to the family, the people of Ondo State, and the Afenifere organisation.