Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed deep condolences over the death of respected elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 100.

The Governor described his death as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria, extending his condolences to Afenifere, the people of Ondo State, prominent Yoruba leaders, and the deceased’s family and associates.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Governor Oyebanji described Pa Fasoranti as a patriot whose life was marked by selfless service, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the Yoruba people and Nigeria.

He said the late Afenifere leader would be remembered for his courage, loyalty and principled stand on truth, justice and the rule of law.

The Governor noted that Pa Fasoranti remained committed to justice, equity, good governance and restructuring throughout his life, adding that his contributions to national affairs reflected his desire for a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

He said the deceased’s legacy would endure through the values he upheld, the causes he championed and the generations inspired by his commitment to democracy and national development.

Governor Oyebanji urged the children and other family members to be consoled with the fact their father lived a remarkable life of service, and his enduring contributions to society would remain indelible.

“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Ekiti State, I express my heartfelt condolences to the family of our departed leader, Pa Fasoranti. I pray that God will grant Baba eternal rest and give his children and the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement added.

Dr. Muyiwa Igbalajobi, founder of Scholarships Cafe and the Muyiwa Igbalajobi Foundation, and a faculty member at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, has urged Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to prioritise industrialisation, youth development, inclusive governance and educational reforms in his second term.

Igbalajobi said greater attention to these critical sectors would help accelerate the state’s socio-economic development, create opportunities for young people and strengthen Ekiti’s capacity to compete in an increasingly knowledge-driven economy.

He also called for improvements in the state’s educational system, particularly technical and vocational education, as a means of equipping young people with practical skills required to meet the demands of modern industries and the evolving labour market.

According to him, the governor’s second term presents an opportunity to consolidate the achievements of his first administration while pursuing policies that deliver sustainable economic growth, expand employment opportunities and improve the living standards of residents.

On industrialisation, Igbalajobi stressed the need for policies and investments that would encourage the establishment and growth of industries, attract private-sector investment and promote the development of local enterprises.

He noted that a stronger industrial base could help Ekiti diversify its economy, generate employment for its growing youth population and reduce dependence on government employment.

The university don also emphasised the importance of creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, with particular attention to infrastructure, skills development and policies capable of attracting investors to the state.

He maintained that industrial development should be linked to the state’s human capital development strategy to ensure that residents, especially young people, possess the skills required to benefit from emerging economic opportunities.

The education advocate further called for inclusive governance that would ensure that the benefits of government policies and programmes reach all segments of society, irrespective of social or economic background.

He urged the administration to create more opportunities for young people to participate in governance, entrepreneurship, innovation and community development, stressing that youth development should be treated as a central component of the state’s long-term development agenda.

Igbalajobi also advocated a more accessible and responsive educational system that identifies and nurtures talent, removes barriers to academic advancement and provides students with the support needed to achieve their potential.

He called for stronger technical and vocational education, noting that practical skills training would help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the requirements of the workplace.

According to him, technical institutions should be adequately equipped, while their curricula should be aligned with the needs of industries and emerging sectors of the economy.

He stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, educational institutions, private organisations and international partners to expand scholarship opportunities, strengthen mentorship programmes and expose students to global academic and professional opportunities.

Igbalajobi, who founded Scholarships Cafe and the Muyiwa Igbalajobi Foundation to promote educational access and youth empowerment, has also championed mentorship initiatives designed to connect talented Ekiti youths with opportunities for postgraduate education and professional development.

Through initiatives such as the Ekiti 100 Scholar Mentorship Programme, the foundation seeks to guide qualified young people from the state’s 16 local government areas towards fully funded master’s and doctoral opportunities at leading universities worldwide.

The scholar maintained that investments in education and human capital development would be essential to building a productive workforce capable of supporting Ekiti’s industrialisation drive and sustaining economic growth.

He urged the governor to ensure that policies introduced during the second term are backed by effective implementation, measurable outcomes and accountability, so that the impact of government interventions can be felt by ordinary residents.

The call comes as Oyebanji begins his second four-year term following his inauguration on October 16, 2026, with the governor pledging to consolidate the achievements of his first administration and pursue greater economic productivity, innovation and inclusive development.

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, describing the late elder statesman as a patriot of exceptional integrity whose contributions to Nigeria’s political development will remain indelible.

Bamidele, in a condolence statement, said Fasoranti, the foremost leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, was a statesman who consistently placed the national interest above personal and sectional considerations.

He described the late centenarian as an accomplished educationist, school administrator and community leader whose impact transcended generations and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s development.

According to the Senate Leader, Fasoranti’s principled leadership, selflessness and unwavering commitment to true federalism, national unity and progress earned him a distinguished place in the history of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

Bamidele noted that the late Afenifere leader was among the last surviving disciples of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, adding that he served as a vital link between the politics of the First Republic and the Fourth Republic.

He said Fasoranti remained a custodian of Awolowo’s progressive ideals, providing moral guidance and principled leadership throughout his years of public engagement.

“His wise counsel, moral authority and stabilising voice will be sorely missed at this critical period in our national life,” Bamidele said.

The Senate Leader stressed that the late elder statesman’s legacy would endure through his commitment to selfless service, democratic ideals and the pursuit of a more united and prosperous Nigeria.

Bamidele, on behalf of his family, constituents and the Senate, extended his heartfelt condolences to the Fasoranti family, the government and people of Ondo State, Afenifere and the entire Yoruba nation.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed elder statesman’s soul and asked God to grant his family and all Nigerians the strength to bear the irreparable loss.