A clergyman, Venerable Olugbenro Fabuluje, has asked the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, to immortalise an elder statesman and leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Fasanmi.
Fabuluje also asked the Ataoja of Osogbo land where Pa Fasanmi lived and died to ensure that something was done in his name.
This appeal was made at Pa Fasanmi’s Service of Commendation, held at his Church, Cathedral of All Saints, Osogbo on Monday.
In his sermon after reading from the book of Mathew, Chapter 25, the Dean of the Cathedral, Venerable Fabuluje, described him as a national hero whose footprints during his lifetime could not be wiped out.
Though, Pa Fasanmi was not an indigene of Osun State, the cleric asked Governor Oyetola and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Olanipekun, to do everything within their powers to immortalise him.
Fabuluje argued that Fasanmi ought to have been honoured with a national award because he was a modest man who never involved himself in corrupt practices.
“How are the mighty falling! A great man has fallen in our midst. Senator Fasanmi was a great man in his lifetime. He was a national hero worthy of honour. He was modest and honest. He chose to remain poor so that the masses can live and enjoy. Though simple, he was a fearless nationalist. These are what we saw in him before the Church conferred on him the title: “Baba Mayegun of the Cathedral of All Saints, Osogbo.”
“The Church is planning to immortalise him and give him a posthumous award. I want to urge our Governor (Oyetola) to do all within your power to ensure Baba (Fasanmi) is immortalised. Though he is not an indigene of Osun, he dined and wined with Osun. I also want our Ataoja to do something in Pa Fasanmi’s name. Pa Fasanmi should have been given a national award considering all he did for this nation,” the dean said.
One of the children of the deceased, Obafemi Fasanmi, while speaking after the commendation service said the family would miss the deceased’s counsel, love and everything he stood for.
“We (children) will miss his counsel, love and everything that he stands for. We believe he is sitting at the right hand of God. We believe that God will rest him peacefully. He was more Awolowo. He didn’t allow the things of this world to affect his personality.”
