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  • Tinubu, Obasanjo, Mimiko, Fasoranti, others bag Ondo golden jubilee awards

    Tinubu, Obasanjo, Mimiko, Fasoranti, others bag Ondo golden jubilee awards

    President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, and other eminent sons and daughters of Ondo state have been honoured with special awards as part of activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary.

    They were honoured at the Gala and Award Night alongside elder statesman and foremost leader of the Pan-Yoruba social political group, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Oba Olu Falae, and 67 distinguished personalities for their contributions to the growth and development of the Sunshine State and the country.

    The Gala and Award Night, held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure, climaxed the day’s celebrations for the golden jubilee.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the event as a night of legacy, excellence, and recognition of service, noting that the awards reflected the collective sacrifices and achievements recorded by the state in the last five decades.

    “The daytime celebrations at the Ondo State Sports Complex captured the mass spirit of our people and renewed our determination for a more prosperous state.

    “Tonight is devoted to honouring those whose lives have brought distinction to Ondo State and contributed meaningfully to national development,” he added.

    The governor said the awards were not ceremonial tokens but expressions of gratitude to individuals whose discipline, character, and sustained service had strengthened institutions and inspired progress.

    Read Also: We won’t lose focus on governance despite our situation, says Fubara

    According to him, the anniversary should not only celebrate the past but also provide direction for the future through stronger institutions, economic diversification, social cohesion, and greater opportunities for young people.

    Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Mimiko, Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami; former deputy governors Omolade Oluwateru, Ali Olanusi, Lasisi Oluboyo, and Alfred Agboola Ajayi; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Justices Olusegun Odusola and Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju; Major Gen. Olu Bajowa (retd.); Vice Admiral Akintunde Aduwo; Oba Falae; and music legend King Sunny Ade.

    Other honourees included Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, Engr. Bernard Aliu, Prof. Oluyinka Olutoye, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun, Mrs Mobalaji Osomo, High Chief Johnson Fagbemi, Asiwaju Oluyemi Ogunyemi, Dr Amos Akingba, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Engr. Emmanuel Adewunmi, Prof. Anthony Adegulugbe, Pa Oyekan Arije, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, Chief Sunday Ehindero, Chief Joseph Sanusi, Chief Solomon Oladunni, Chief Pius Akinyelure, AVM Kola Ademuwagun, Oba Samuel Egunjobi, and Madam Winifred Adefolahan Awosika, among others.

    Posthumous honours were also conferred on late leaders who made significant impacts on the state and the nation, including former Head of State Gen. Murtala Mohammed; former governors Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Bamidele Olumilua, Adebayo Adefarati, Olusegun Agagu, and Rotimi Akeredolu; jurists Justices Akinola Aguda and Gladys Olateru-Olagbegi; rights activist Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN); Pastor T.B. Joshua; and several senior military officers.

    In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Committee, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, said Ondo State had witnessed a remarkable transformation in infrastructure and human capital development since its creation.

    Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adewusi, commended the governor and his wife for their leadership and support for the anniversary activities.

    Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, said the jubilee focused on youth engagement, disclosing that an essay competition for young people aged 20 to 25 attracted 118 entries within five days, with 10 shortlisted and three selected for prizes.

    He, however, added that a formal charter would be signed by key state officials and sealed as a covenant to guide Ondo State’s development over the next 20 years.

  • Fasoranti applauds Tinubu, backs President’s leadership

    Fasoranti applauds Tinubu, backs President’s leadership

    Elder statesman and national leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praising his performance and expressing satisfaction with his leadership so far.

    The 98-year-old statesman made the commendation during a courtesy visit to his Akure residence by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who conveyed the President’s warm regards. 

    The visit came as part of her two-day official trip to Ondo State.

    “I am satisfied with what he is doing in Nigeria. Well done,” Pa Fasoranti stated, adding that President Tinubu had surpassed his expectations. 

    He also offered prayers for divine guidance and wisdom for the President as he steers the affairs of the nation.

    The First Lady’s visit, described as informal, was in recognition of Pa Fasoranti’s status as a father figure to both her and the President. 

    According to a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady lauded the elder statesman’s resilience and thanked him for his continued counsel and support.

    Senator Tinubu also praised Pa Fasoranti for his unwavering commitment to national unity and development. 

    She highlighted the ongoing impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), her signature humanitarian project aimed at supporting vulnerable groups across Nigeria.

    Earlier, the First Lady met with over 60 traditional rulers from across Ondo State, led by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi Ogunlade, who represented the Chairman of the State Traditional Council, the Olowo of Owo. 

    The monarchs praised the President’s efforts and pledged to amplify the message of RHI’s health campaigns—particularly those targeting Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and the fight against stigmatization.

    The traditional rulers also publicly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in office.

    Senator Tinubu later proceeded to the Dome in Akure where she officially handed over 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 crocs to midwives from the South-West geopolitical zone. 

    The event marked the fifth zone to benefit from the RHI’s Professional Kits Distribution initiative.

    Welcoming the First Lady, wife of Ondo Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, described her as “a true mother of the nation,” praising her ongoing advocacy for women, youth, and children.

    Read Also: Rivers stakeholders urge Tinubu to lift suspension of Fubara, lawmakers

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa acknowledged President Tinubu’s interventions in the state, including the establishment of an Air Force School in Akure and the upgrade of Adeyemi College of Education to a full-fledged University of Education.

    In her keynote address, Senator Tinubu lauded the dedication of Nigeria’s frontline health workers and stressed the importance of continuous professional training. 

    “This event complements the Federal Government’s ongoing retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide,” she said, noting that nearly 60,000 have already completed the program.

    The First Lady further commended health officials, including Health Minister Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate and NPHCDA CEO Dr. Muyi Aina, for their leadership in strengthening primary healthcare delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    In a gesture of economic empowerment, Senator Tinubu announced a N50 million grant to support 1,000 women petty traders in Ondo State under the RHI Small Business Recapitalisation Program. 

    Among the beneficiaries, 200 fabric sellers also received two bales of cloth each to support their trade.

  • Fasoranti ‘remains Afenifere leader’

    Fasoranti ‘remains Afenifere leader’

    Afenifere yesterday dismissed as a ruse, the purported appointment of Oba Oladipupo Akinola as its leader.

    The Yoruba socio-cultural group faulted the statement credited to Mr. Sola Ebiseni as uncalled for.

    It reiterated that Pa Rueben Fasoranti, 98, remains its leader.

    Publicity secretary of Afenifere Jare Ajayi said yesterday that there is no leadership vacuum in the organization.

    He urged members to be loyal to the Yoruba tradition.

    Ajayi noted the error of appointing an acting leader, Olaitan, in succession to the deceased acting leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, by a few members without Fasoranti’s consent.

    He said: “It is a known fact that the National Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, is still very much around. He is not only hale and hearty, he is also adroitly providing the requisite leadership,  to the glory of God.

    “In a situation where there is no vacuum, how do you talk of filling a vacancy that does not exist?”

    Alluding to the Yoruba saying: ‘Bi oba kan ko ku, omiran kii je’ (A king is not appointed when the incumbent is still very much on the stool), Ajayi added: “Pa Fasoranti who is the Leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju of the Yorubas is actively performing as such.”

    In 2021, because of old age, Pa Fasoranti had appointed Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the deputy leader, as acting leader.

    But the old Awoist cancelled the arrangement, following the slide into contradiction and unilateral actions taken by some members without his approval.

    Since then, the organisation again split, with Adebanjo’s group holding court in his Lagos house or his Isoya-Ogbo, Ogun country home.

    A man of peace, who was a member of First Republic political party Action Group (AG), Fasoranti, who took over from the late Senator Abraham Adesanya, has avoided further controversy by members whose activities were described as tatamount to the neglect of the group’s ageless tradition of cohesion, factionalisation and indiscipline.

    Read Also: Fasoranti is Afenifere leader, says spokesman

    Without Fasoranti’s approval, the late Pa Adebanjo took political decisions in to which he committed the Afenifere during the 2023 elections.

    An experienced politician, what Fasoranti did was to issue a statement that Afenifere was backing  a chieftain of the group and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for president.

    What is worrisome is that a factional acting leader and acting deputy leader were hurriedly appointed when the former acting leader has not been buried.

    Ajayi said Afenifere has a procedure for appointing its leader, adding that “the manner in which the one announced on Tuesday was done is alien to Afenifere tradition.”

    He said the organisation is still mourning the demise of one of its highly respected leaders,  Adebanjo, stressing that Afenifere’s focus at the moment is how to organise a befitting burial for the erstwhile acting leader.

  • Makinde celebrates Afenifere leader, Fasoranti, at 98

    Makinde celebrates Afenifere leader, Fasoranti, at 98

    Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has hailed the leader of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, for providing leadership to the Yoruba nation over the years.

    Makinde, who felicitated Pa Fasoranti on the occasion of his 98th birthday, maintained that the nonagenarian has contributed immensely to the growth and progress of the Yoruba ethnic group and Nigeria as a whole.

    He congratulated the Afenifere leader, praying to God to grant him more years and good health as he continues to lead his people.

    Read Also: We will leave behind legacy of strong institutions, not strong politicians – Makinde

    Makinde said: “I congratulate the Afenifere leader and our Baba, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on the occasion of his 98th birthday.

    “Pa Fasoranti has, over the past years, provided positive leadership to the Yoruba nation and has contributed immensely to the growth and progress of the Yoruba ethnic group and the country.

    “His calm disposition to issues of national interest and his patriotism have been great hallmarks that leaders must emulate. I celebrate Baba and I pray to God to give him good health as he continues to lead his people.”

  • Fasoranti, others beg Tinubu to intervene in Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s fued

    Fasoranti, others beg Tinubu to intervene in Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s fued

    Leader of pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and other elders in Ondo state have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the feud between Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    The Ondo Elders urged President Tinubu to end ‘the present constitutional crisis’ in the state, to avoid the looming breakdown of law and order in Ondo state.

    This was contained in a statement issued after an emergency meeting held in Akure at the instance of Pa Fasoranti on the current political logjam in the state.

    Present at the meeting were traditional, religious, and professional leaders, market women, academia, and other notable stakeholders.

    Read Also: Peter Obi congratulates Davido on 31st birthday

    The statement said the meeting which lasted for over four hours called for prayers for the improved health of Governor Akeredolu and noted that his absence has caused a lack of sustained good governance in the state.

    The statement read: “There should be no impeachment of the governor nor the deputy governor by the House of Assembly. All unelected persons should allow the three arms of government to find lasting solutions to the current crisis.

    “The rule of law should be followed by all stakeholders as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution. The Elders also call on the State/National Leadership of the Ruling Party, the All Progressives Congress, to provide the required guide to those in Government as well as ensure discipline amongst their fold.

    “Conciliation efforts initiated by Papa Reuben Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Chiefs Femi Aluko, Korede Duyile and Professor Olu Aderounmu, that were started two months ago and have been continuously vigorously pursued by Elders/Leaders, Spiritual and Royal Fathers in the State, should be concluded with a view to allowing true rapprochement and enduring good governance thrive in the state.”

  • Afenifere leader Fasoranti congratulates Tinubu

    Afenifere leader Fasoranti congratulates Tinubu

    Afenifere leader Chief Reuben Fasoranti has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the Supreme Court.

    He said in a statement by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, that the coast was clear for him to serve diligently.

    He said the judgment had produced monumental effects. 

    Fasoranti stressed: “Monumental because of the clarifications made in respect of certain aspects of our electoral processes. One of such was the pronouncement made regarding the position of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Ditto for the position of the law in regard to the deadline for filing papers relating to elections.”

    Read Also: Oyedepo’s son breaks silence on ‘alleged’ resignation from father’s church

    He hailed the justices that adjudicated on the cases “for being so painstaking in their assignments.” He said: “What they did and how it was done has further enhanced the image of the judiciary positively”.

    Fasoranti congratulated Nigerians on the peaceful atmosphere that, on the whole, characterised the electoral and judiciary processes.

    He reminded the President about some of the issues he had raised with him, particularly security.

    Fasoranti stressed: “It is a matter of concern that insecurity is still being experienced. This can be seen in the upsurge in banditry, kidnapping, attacks on farmers, cultism and even terrorism.”

    The Afenifere leader called for a drastic cut in the emoluments and perquisites of political office-holders.

    He said President Tinubu “is now on a firmer ground to execute noble ideas contained in his Renewed Hope Agenda, to make life more abundant for Nigerians.”

  • Fasoranti: I’m disappointed how Adebanjo conducted Afenifere affairs

    Fasoranti: I’m disappointed how Adebanjo conducted Afenifere affairs

    Leader of Afenifere Worldwide, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, has expressed disappointed and sadness at the turn of events in the running of the organisation under Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

    He said the organiation was in a sorry state and required urgent restoration effort to steer it away from the current trajectory.

    Pa Fasoranti said there was a noticeable drift away from “our core values of consultation, brotherliness and camaraderie and traditional process of conducting the business of the organisation, upon which our collegial system of leadership is based. These have been severely threatened.”

    Read Also: I am disappointed how Adebanjo conducted Afenifere affairs, says Fasoranti

    Pa Fasoranti, who spoke in Akure at a meeting of Afenifere leaders, said the threat of disunity in the organisation was further exacerbated by more recent events, culminating in

    a fracture of the traditional backbone of the organisation.

    He said: “Since I appointed my brother, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Oba Oladipo Olaitan as acting

    leader and deputy leader about three years ago, a lot has happened. Among these is the fact that many of us have added more years to our lives.

    “This wasn’t my vision or expectation

    when I appointed the acting leader and deputy leader. And to say that I am sad and disappointed at the turn of events is an understatement. I am particularly disturbed because unless we take urgent remedial action, the future looks very bleak and the necessary resources to revamp our organisation are being depleted by the day.

    “ I have called you here today therefore, as leaders and responsible members of this organisation, to challenge yourself to find a lasting solution to the current impasse. I implore you to engage frankly and honestly in the spirit of comradeship and mutual respect for which we are well known and upon which this organisation is founded.

    “With determination and commitment, I believe you are all able to find a solution that will

    propel Afenifere to greater heights.”

    National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, in a statement said the resolution reached at the meeting included the need to reinvigorate Afenifere to be stronger and be able to continue to fulfil its mandate of being the vanguard for the Yoruba race.

    The statement said a committee would be set up to achieve reconciliation and unity.

    It insisted that Afenifere remained an ideological movement and not a political party.

  • INC, Fasoranti, Falae, Adebanjo faction of Afenifere endorse Atiku

    A FACTION of Yoruba socio-political apex group, Afenifere, yesterday gave reasons why it is  endorsing  the candidature of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Saturday’s  Presidential election , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    The group , after taking a cursory look at the composition of the Nigeria state, especially the major trajectories that the country had passed through from 1914 when it was amalgamated,  declared that the way Nigeria is presently constituted politically and geographically did not allow for people-oriented governance.

    Afenifere leaders made this pronouncement in a communiqué issued at the end of a town hall meeting with the theme: “Moving Nigeria Forward”, at Jogor Centre, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

    Participants at the town hall meeting came from six Southwest states, including Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, and Ondo and representatives from Kwara and Kogi states.

    The meeting was attended by Afenifere leaders, including; Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Senator Femi Okuronmu, Prince Debo Gbadebo,and Chief Mrs. Bola Doherty among other prominent Yoruba leaders.

    Pan Ijaw Socio-cultiral organisation Ijaw National Congress (INC) yesterday endorsed the candidacy of Atiku.

    INC, at the end of its meeting in Yenagoa x-rayed the manifestoes of the two leading aspirants and thereafter alligned with Atiku, on the issues of restructuring and others.

  • Stop speaking for Yoruba, Fasanmi tells Fasoranti

    A national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, The Afenifere, Pa Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has faulted a recent statement credited to the Chief Reuben Fasoranti-led faction of the organisation for suspending former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore because he worked for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    The 93-year-old nationalist and the oldest survivor of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo political legacy noted that the action was the most embarrassing by anyone or group since the death of the sage.

    Pa Fasanmi said it was laughable and disappointing for anyone to desecrate the hallowed name of the late Awolowo with conservative political tendency, as espoused by the Fasoranti and Ayo Adebanjo group.

    According to him, the Afenifere chieftains crossed the red line with their actions.

    He said the spirit of Awolowo would not forgive whoever bastardises the legacies he fought for all his life.

    Pa Fasanmi, who was a member of the House of Representatives in 1964/’66 and a senator in 1979/’83, stressed that the Fasoranti/Adebanjo group should henceforth stop talking on behalf of the Yoruba race.

    The nonagenarian said that they had derailed.

    He advised them not to put the Yoruba race on sale.

    Pa Fasanmi said the Yoruba race is comfortable with the progressives, as being represented by the APC, where the Yoruba are having the chunk of appointments, which had never happened, even when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was President.

    The elder statesman wondered what Afenifere wanted by its anti-Muhammadu Buhari posture “except they want to tell us they are now against Chief Awolowo’s legacies, which the Yoruba are still proud to associate with and through which many are still winning elections”.

    A statement yesterday by the Publicity Secretary of Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere, Biodun Akin-Fasae, said: “Anyway, many of those working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) within Afenifere never stood for any elections all through their political life.

    “Pa Fasanmi congratulated Prince Dayo Adeyeye and Chief Iyiola Omisore on their return to the progressives. He wished them well.”

  • Fasoranti visits Fasanmi in Osogbo

    Fasoranti visits Fasanmi in Osogbo

    Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, yesterday visited his deputy, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, at his home in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    The leadership crisis in Afenifere, triggered by the appointment of Fasoranti as ARG’s acting chairman by the late Senator Abraham Adesanya in 2007, had separated them.

    The crisis polarised the Afenifere group; a faction led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu appointed Fasanmi as its leader.

    But royal fathers in Yoruba land resolved the crisis and prevailed on Fasoranti to accept the position of deputy leader.

    The two leaders held a closed-door meeting, which lasted two hours at Fasanmi’s house.

    After the meeting, Fasoranti said he was in Osogbo to see his old friend.

    He said: “What God has joined together, politics should not destroy the friends of 1960s.”

    The ARG leader said what touched him and his friend was the unity of the Yoruba, irrespective of political divides.

    Fasanmi recalled that his friendship with Fasoranti started 55 years ago.

    He added: “We attended the Action Group (AG) national conference together in Jos, the Plateau State capital, in 1962. We slept on the same bed; we have remained friends since then.”

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who spoke to Fasoranti on phone while he was still at his friend’s house, expressed appreciation to the Afenifere leader’s visit.

    Asiwaju Tinubu also visited Fasoranti in his Akure home late last year.

    He was accompanied by the former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande.