The Ondo State Government has constituted a 13-member committee to coordinate the state burial of late Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, who died at the age of 100.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved the committee in recognition of Fasoranti’s contributions to Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kayode Ajulo, who is the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, will chair the committee, while Apostle Eniola Olushola will serve as secretary.
Other members are Gbenga Fasua, Gbenga Atiba, Kosemani Kolawole, Bakkita Bello, Idowu Otetubi, Modupe Martins, George Asonja, Muyiwa Ogunyemi, Stephen Abitogun, Adetunji Gbenga and Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan.
A statement issued on Thursday by Adeniyan said the committee would work with Fasoranti’s family and the leadership of Afenifere to organise a dignified and befitting burial programme.
Aiyedatiwa said the late elder statesman deserved to be honoured for his years of service, wisdom and selfless leadership, adding that the government would ensure the burial reflects his contributions to society.
Fasoranti’s family had earlier announced December 17, 2026, for his funeral service and interment.
The service is scheduled to hold at St David’s Cathedral, Ijomu, Akure, while a wake-keeping service is expected at his residence on December 16.
The state government has not, however, released a separate date or detailed programme for its state burial arrangements.
Afenifere had also constituted its own burial planning committee earlier this week.
Its leadership said the committee would work with committees established by the family and the Ondo State Government.
The development comes a day after the Senate moved to immortalise the late Afenifere leader by recommending that an educational institution be named after him.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, representing Ondo Central, during Wednesday’s plenary.
The Senate also resolved to send a delegation to condole with Fasoranti’s family and the people of Ondo State and observed a minute’s silence in his honour.
Fasoranti died on October 20, 2026.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, while announcing his death, described him as a patriarch whose century-long life was marked by service to Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.
Born on May 11, 1926, Fasoranti built a career in education before becoming prominent in progressive politics and Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.
He was associated with the political tradition of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Action Group and later served as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State during the Second Republic.
His public career also included contributions to education, with Senate records noting his establishment of schools including Omooluorogbo Nursery and Primary School and Akure High School.
In his condolence message, Aiyedatiwa described Fasoranti as a respected elder whose counsel, fatherly guidance and commitment to justice and good governance would be missed.
