Daud Olatunji
The late national leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, rejected a government appointment in 1999 to concentrate on raising his children following the death of his wife, according to his son, Taiwo Fasoranti.
Taiwo, the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, said his father declined the offer because he feared that the demands of public office would deprive his children of the parental guidance and stability they needed after losing their mother.
The elder statesman, who lost his wife in 1991, also never remarried, insisting that no woman could replace her, according to the SSG.
The revelations offer an insight into the family life, personal sacrifices and guiding principles of the late Yoruba leader, who devoted much of his life to education, community development and political activism.
Speaking in an interview with New Telegraph, extracted by PLATFORM TIMES, Taiwo said his father understood the responsibilities that came with public office but chose to put his children’s welfare ahead of political opportunities at a difficult period in their lives.
“My mother had just passed on. He felt that with that kind of responsibility, you need stability in the house.
“If you went into that kind of responsibility, his children would suffer. There would not be any parental figure to make sure that they did what they were supposed to do,” he recalled his father as saying.
Taiwo said Fasoranti graciously declined the appointment, prioritising his responsibility as a father over the opportunity to serve in government.
His account highlights a personal dimension of the late Afenifere leader’s life, portraying a man who, despite his political influence, considered the upbringing of his children a responsibility he could not afford to compromise.
The SSG also disclosed that his father remained devoted to his late wife after her death, refusing to remarry because of the bond they shared during their marriage.
According to him, the relationship between his parents was characterised by affection, mutual understanding and respect, with disagreements settled privately without involving their children.
He said his father’s decision not to remarry reflected the depth of his commitment to his wife.
Fasoranti’s family life, Taiwo explained, was guided by discipline, consistency and a strong sense of responsibility, values that also shaped the upbringing of his children.
The SSG described his father as a caring but firm parent who took a personal interest in his children’s education and welfare.
He recalled that the late elder statesman regularly visited them at school and even travelled to the University of Ife, where he was studying medicine, to check on him.
“He was a disciplinarian, but he wasn’t a bully. He was a disciplinarian. He would stand his ground. He would tell you what he wanted and he would stand by it,” Taiwo said.
He added that he could not remember his father physically punishing any of his children, explaining that Fasoranti relied on words, personal example and stern looks to communicate his expectations.
According to him, the family always understood when their father approved or disapproved of their conduct.
Beyond his family responsibilities, Fasoranti consistently advised his children to establish themselves in their chosen professions before venturing into politics.
Taiwo said his father believed that politics should be approached as an avenue for public service and community development rather than a career that people depended on for their livelihoods.
The late elder statesman, who began his teaching career in 1955, maintained that professional competence and personal fulfilment were important foundations for anyone aspiring to serve in public office.
According to the SSG, his father insisted that he complete his medical education, become a consultant and practise medicine for several years before returning home to participate in politics.
“Stick with your profession. Politics is not a profession. That’s why you see I came into politics a little bit late,” Taiwo quoted his father as saying.
He said the advice influenced his own career path, adding that he still occasionally attends to longstanding patients despite his responsibilities as Ondo SSG.
“The lesson to all of us is that pick your profession, stick by it and fulfillment will come,” he said.
Taiwo explained that his father’s entry into politics was motivated by a desire to contribute to the development of his community and advance the interests of the Yoruba people.
Fasoranti previously served as chairman of Akure Local Government and chairman of Akure Community Development before emerging as one of the most influential figures in Yoruba socio-political affairs.
However, his involvement in politics also came with personal costs.
The SSG recalled that his father spent two years in detention without conviction following the military takeover of government.
He said the experience exposed the late politician to the dangers associated with political activism and the sacrifices that public service could demand.
“He had his own regrets. The ups and downs, I mean when you have to sacrifice your freedom, going to jail after the military took over for two years without any conviction,” Taiwo said.
He, however, stressed that his father never concluded that entering politics had been a mistake.
“But he did not say because I went into politics, I wish I didn’t go into politics,” he added.
Taiwo said education remained the central pillar of his father’s life, noting that Fasoranti continued to identify with teaching even after retiring formally.
According to him, the late educator began teaching in 1955 and maintained his commitment to the profession until his death.
He said his father believed that educating children was one of the most effective ways to secure their future and contribute to the advancement of society.
“He said, ‘Teach children so that tomorrow they think they can be safe,’” Taiwo recalled.
The SSG explained that his father took considerable pride in the achievements of his former students, many of whom had gone on to become successful professionals and public figures.
He attributed Fasoranti’s commitment to education partly to the philosophy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his associates, who viewed education as a major instrument for social mobility and community development.
Taiwo said his father’s former students remained a visible testament to the impact he made throughout his life.
He argued that the late elder statesman’s greatest memorial was not necessarily a monument or a building bearing his name, but the people he educated, mentored and helped to succeed.
“Anywhere you turn around, you see his students who are doing very well, who have gone to greater heights to achieve a lot of things. That’s a legacy. That’s how he wants to be remembered. ‘I touched this person.’ I think that’s enough,” he said.
Taiwo also described his father as a bridge-builder who welcomed people from different ethnic backgrounds, political affiliations and social classes.
He said the family’s residence in Akure frequently attracted prominent politicians, government officials, community leaders and ordinary Nigerians seeking the elder statesman’s counsel.
According to him, Fasoranti did not discriminate against visitors based on their ethnic or social backgrounds, maintaining an open-door approach to personal relationships and community engagement.
Taiwo said visitors continued to arrive at the residence until the final days of his father’s life, although the family sometimes had to explain that the elderly statesman could no longer receive guests.
As Afenifere leader, he said, Fasoranti consistently advocated unity among members of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, urging them to set aside internal disagreements and pursue shared objectives.
“He said they must unite, they must come together,” Taiwo recalled.
He explained that his father believed members did not necessarily have to agree on everything but should remain committed to common goals and the collective interests of the Yoruba people.
‘Nobody was too small to see him’
Reflecting on his father’s final days, Taiwo said the elder statesman’s physical activities declined considerably with age, but the changes were consistent with the natural ageing process.
He said Fasoranti died in his sleep, describing the end of his long life as peaceful.
The SSG also acknowledged that reproducing his father’s influence, patience and personal qualities would be difficult.
Asked whether he could step into the late elder statesman’s shoes, Taiwo said he would not pretend to possess all the qualities that made his father exceptional.
“Is it possible to step into his shoes? It’s not possible. Let’s not deceive ourselves. I can’t do what he did. That’s the truth. I cannot do what he did,” he said.
He described Fasoranti as a patient and accessible leader who made people feel welcome, regardless of their status.
“Baba was a special person. Patient, never angry. Nobody was too small to come to him,” Taiwo said.
He maintained that his father’s commitment to family, professional integrity, education, humility and community service represented the enduring lessons of his life.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
'