Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, the eldest child of the late Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said his father had made a covenant with God to die at the age of 100.
Taiwo, who serves as the Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), made this known when Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Afenifere leader at his residence in Akure on Tuesday night.
Chronicle NG reports that Pa Fasoranti died on Tuesday evening in his house in Ijapo, Akure.
The SSG stated that his father had repeatedly told family members that he had a covenant with God to depart from the world upon attaining the age of 100.
“Baba often told us that he had a covenant with God that whenever he got to 100, he would go. He repeatedly told us that when he died, we should not cry.
“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 SSG described his father as a devoted parent who took an active part in raising and educating his children.
He said the family would deeply miss the wise counsel of the late nationalist, whom he called a man of few words who shared his thoughts “quietly but effectively.”
He thanked Aiyedatiwa for standing with the family at this time and appealed for prayers so that the children could carry forward their father’s legacies.
Aiyedatiwa, speaking, described the late Afenifere leader as the very model of humility, kindness and wisdom, whose contributions to governance and national development would never be forgotten.
“Even at that age, Baba was still influencing decisions of government. That is to tell you that he was still mentally sound,” he said.
The governor described the deceased as a great educator whose positive influence reached across generations, producing prominent personalities both within and outside Nigeria.
“We cannot but celebrate his life and times. We are not mourning. We are just celebrating and thanking God for a life that was well lived,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa said the late nationalist lived a fulfilled life characterised by humility, kindness, wisdom and dedication to the service of humanity.
He urged the family and other Nigerians to emulate the virtues of the deceased and continue to make meaningful contributions to society.
