ONC, Southern Youths Foundation Mourn Pa Reuben Fasoranti

The Orashi National Congress, ONC, Orashi Region and the Southern Youths Foundation, SYF, have mourned the passing of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti.

In a joint press statement dated October 22, 2026, the groups said they received with profound shock and deep sorrow the news of the transition of Fasoranti, who died on Monday, October 20, 2026 at the age of 100.

The statement was signed by Amb. Comrade Emeni Ibe, President General of ONC Orashi Region and National Leader of SYF.

Describing his death as the falling of an Iroko, the groups said Fasoranti’s exit marks the closing of a glorious chapter in Nigerian history and the exit of the last standing pillar of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive political school.

The groups described Fasoranti as a colossus of history, a fearless educationist, former Principal of Iju/Itaogbolu Grammar School, former Commissioner for Finance in old Ondo State from 1979 to 1983 under Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, and a patriotic member of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN.

They also described him as a moral compass for Nigeria who stood for true federalism, restructuring, resource control, good governance and justice, and a courageous nationalist who as a NADECO chieftain during the June 12 struggle risked his life for democracy.

As leader of Afenifere from 2008, the groups said he kept the Yoruba nation united, principled and progressive, and embodied integrity, discipline, selflessness and uncommon fatherly wisdom.

On behalf of the entire Orashi Region comprising Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, and Southern Nigerian youths, the groups commiserated with the Fasoranti family of Akure, the leadership and members of Afenifere worldwide, the Olowo of Owo and Ondo State Traditional Council, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and the government and people of Ondo State, and the entire Yoruba nation.

They also expressed solidarity with the Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba led by Comrade Awa Bamiji, the Coalition for a Better Nigeria and the Oodua Youth Coalition.

The groups said at 100 years, Fasoranti fought a good fight and finished his course gloriously, living for humanity, Yorubaland unity and Nigeria’s progress, adding that his ideals of justice and equity are the same ideals ONC and SYF stand for, including resource justice for the Niger Delta and true federalism for Nigeria.