By Nwamulunamma Ogbunka
Abuja
The National Assembly South West Caucus on Sunday celebrated the leader of Afenifere on his attainment of the remarkable age of 100, describing as a dogged defender of Yoruba interests.
The Caucus, comprising all federal lawmakers from the South-west, added that Pa Fasoranti’s expectations for “a truly recalibrated federal governance are gradually coming to fruition.”
Chairman of the Caucus and Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele paid the tribute to the centenarian in a statement released by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Sunday.
Celebrating Pa Fasoranti’s virtues, Bamidele noted that he was one of the last surviving disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and an embodiment of humility who fought valiantly for the birth of the Fourth Republic.
Evident in his impeccable records of public service, he wrote: “Baba Fasoranti perfectly embodies the Yoruba values of Omoluabi – honour, integrity, leadership and selflessness. In the Second Republic for instance, he served without any dent, in the Government of Pa Adekunle Ajasin to deliver greater goods for the people of old Ondo State.
“He was also one of the loudest voices that fearlessly spoke against the reigns of dictators after the Second Republic and ceaselessly demanded the restoration of democratic rule in Nigeria, an effort that culminated in the birth of the Fourth Republic on the 29th May 1999.
“Even after the restoration in 1999, Baba’s expectations for a greater, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria have never quenched. Rather, he has been offering much-needed guidance and mentorship to different leaders at national and subnational levels. He has equally been a leading voice in the calls for an equitable, fair and just governance structure that will serve the interests of all.”
Bamidele noted that all federal lawmakers from the South-west “are conscious of Baba’s expectations for a truly recalibrated federation, peaceful at home, potent on the continent and resilient on the global stage.
“Not only us, the entire National Assembly is working to recraft the present federal governance structure to be more competitive, more efficient and more productive. We are glad to report that all these aspirations have started coming to fruition while Baba is still alive.”
He further eulogised Pa Fasoranti for “staying focused and committed to the cause of our nation through thick and thin, championing the quest for a better, greater, and more prosperous Nigeria.
“For attaining this age with sound mind and unfailing memory undoubtedly attests to God’s boundless favour and matchless mercy in the life of our widely cherished leader, who has stayed focused on and committed to the cause of our Nation through thick and thin championing the quest for a better, greater and more prosperous Nigeria.”
Bamidele highlighted diverse initiatives of the National Assembly aimed at devolving more powers to the sub-national entities, noting that the establishment of state police “will become a reality in Baba’s lifetime.
“Before the end of the 10th National Assembly, we are introducing state police as one of the measures to deal decisively with security challenges that plague our federation. The initiative is part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. We hope the state police initiative will come into force in Baba’s lifetime.
“While Baba is still alive, we enacted legislations that created regional development commissions in the spirit of collective prosperity. Now at the stage of taking off fully, the commissions were created to address infrastructure deficits in each of the geo-political zones and drive real development in all parts of the federation.
We have also created an efficient fiscal regime that will support the seamless implementation of all these initiatives that promise a better and greater Nigeria.
“As Baba lives on by God’s matchless grace, he will witness more pro-people initiatives that quench his thirst for an equitable, fair and just Nigeria. This is a pledge we are determined to achieve, possibly in the lifetime of Pa Fasoranti,” Bamidele concluded.
