By: Oluwatosin Adesola
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the APC National leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and three state governors yesterday led other dignitaries to launch the autobiography of the Afenifere national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti titled “My Life: My Legacy”.
At the event held at the Dome in Akure, the chairman of the Occasion, Chief Obasanjo described Pa Fasoranti as one of the few Nigerian leaders who should have be president of the country due to their integrity and brilliance.
The event reunited two of the major contenders in the forthcoming Ondo state governorship election, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the APC and the PDP governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, as they exchanged pleasantries to delight of other guests at the event.
Also speaking, Asiwaju Tinubu who was represented by the Osun state governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola said unprecedented contentment of the Afenifere national leader would remain indelible in the hearts of many Yoruba people.
In an address, the 94year-old Afenifere leader, Pa Fasoranti said the essence of writing the book ”My Life, My Legacy” and raise funds to establish A Democratic Institute were to inculcate and entrench desired political values and discipline for generations yet unborn.
Fasoranti said in his address read by Basorun Sehinde Arogbofa, “In my life adventures, l have tried to see what I could leave behind for humanity. To this extent, I have tried to invest in human beings.
“I have served the people at both local, state and national levels and shown the way to selfless services I have experimented with western education to set examples I have also made some input into human capacity building. Of late, however it occurred to me that I must have a project as a centre to harness and concretise all these; something unique, more lasting, modest, noble and useful in lifting up humanity.
“That is the essence of my using the opportunity of the presentation of ”My Life, My Legacy to raise funds to establish:A democratic institute to inculcate and entrench desired Political values and discipline to practicing and aspiring democrats.
“Education advancement for the Yoruba race and Nigeria through encouraging value-based training and sponsorship of scholarly activities, awards, researches, conferences, and bills at the national assembly.
“The Establishment of a public digital library to articulate and archive critical events of Nigeria’s history; pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial.
“Time is no longer my friend, though, but with you, great and understanding people, time can still be bought to get the project accomplished before my time is finally out. I now respectfully welcome and invite you to make the project a reality. I wish you save journey back at the end of the exercise.
In their seperate remarks, Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Kayode Fayemi said the state governments in the southwest region would ensure the construction of the Fasoranti Democratic Institute.
The event was attended by Afenifere chieftains worldwide and political bigwigs including Basorun Sehinde Arogbofa, Yinka Odumakin, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Kwara governor Cornelius Adebayo and the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mr Eyitayo Jegede among others.