The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu , said Afenifere leader , Pa Reuben Fasoranti , never had any blemish in his public service career .
Tinubu noted that the elder statesman also shunned covetousness and counseled against “ primitive accumulation and decried indiscipline in high places .”
He described him as a man of great principle and a die -hard Awoist, adding that his life was worthy of emulation.
The former Lagos governor said this in a statement by his media aide , Mr Tunde Rahman , to felicitate Fasoranti on his 94 th birthday .
“ What we celebrate is the success story of leadership by example , political consistency , total loyalty to the progressive cause , devotion to principle, integrity , courage of conviction and uncommon contentment .
“ Chief Fasoranti filled the vacuum left behind by our illustrious pathfinders and cherished leaders , and in post -Chief Abraham Adesanya era, papa laboured tirelessly to build bridges of unity , accommodation , understanding , reconciliation and harmony in Yorubaland ,” he added .
The former Lagos governor lauded Fasoranti ’s contribution to human capacity development , saying he moulded the lives of many youths who now occupied important positions in the socio - economic and political life of the country .
Tinubu said, “ In the Second Republic , Papa served meritoriously as a founding stalwart of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, led by the indomitable Chief Obafemi Awolowo , joining party leaders in planting party structures across the nooks and crannies of old Ondo State.
“ It is also noteworthy that Papa performed excellently as a two -time Commissioner for Finance under Governor Adekunle Ajasin , whose administration effectively implemented the five cardinal programmes of free education , free health services , full employment and rural development .
“ Throughout his public service career , Papa served without blemish and scandal , but made his mark as a shining example to people who aspired to selfless leadership . Having embraced a Spartan lifestyle , Papa has shunned covetousness , counseled against primitive accumulation and decried indiscipline in high places .
“ As Afenifere leader , Pa Fasoranti effectively contributed to and enriched the discourse on regional integration , nation - building and good governance , and with a benefit of hindsight , advocated a pure federal principle as the basis for peaceful co -existence in an indivisible and united one Nigeria.
“ As a public figure and private person , Papa has borne personal and political vicissitudes with sober reflection and philosophical calmness in a world that is full of ups and downs.”
Copyright PUNCH.
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