The family of late elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Senator Ayorinde Fasanmi, has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for honouring the memory of their patriarch with a posthumous national award.
In a heartfelt letter dated June 12, 2025, and signed by Folabi Ayo-Fasanmi, a son of the late politician, the family lauded the President’s decision to confer the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) award on Senator Fasanmi during this year’s Democracy Day celebrations.
Describing the honour as “timeous and thoughtful,” the family noted that the award comes just three months ahead of what would have been Senator Fasanmi’s 100th birthday, set for September 27, 2025.
“I write on behalf of the Ayo Fasanmi Family to sincerely appreciate your kind gesture of honouring our father,” Folabi stated in the letter. “We are eternally grateful, sir.”
Folabi, who once served as an aide to President Tinubu, also used the opportunity to commend the President for his leadership and ongoing efforts to navigate Nigeria through economic and political challenges.
“May the Lord continue to lead and guard you as you take giant steps to lift Nigeria out of the woods and doldrums,” he added.
Senator Ayo Fasanmi was widely respected for his principled stand on national issues, his advocacy for democracy, and his lifelong commitment to public service. A founding member of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, he served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and remained a steady voice in Nigeria’s political landscape until his death in 2020 at the age of 94.
The national honour bestowed by President Tinubu is seen as a fitting tribute to one of Nigeria’s foremost advocates of democratic governance, and a symbolic recognition of the enduring legacy of elder statesmen in shaping the nation’s political journey.