Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere, praised President Bola Tinubu for his exceptional performance in office

In a rare expression of appreciation, The 98-year-old elder statesman made these comments during a courtesy visit from the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, at his residence in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.

Witnesses reported that Pa Fasoranti conveyed his approval of the Tinubu administration’s trajectory, stating, “I am satisfied with what he is doing in Nigeria. Well done.” As a prominent advocate for Yoruba interests, he commended both the President and the First Lady for their dedication to national progress.

The informal visit included Senator Tinubu delivering warm regards from the President and recognizing Pa Fasoranti as a paternal figure to herself and President Tinubu. The meeting carried significant goodwill, reflecting Afenifere’s historical importance in Nigerian politics.

Earlier that day, Senator Tinubu met with more than 60 traditional rulers from the state, including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, who represented the chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas. The kings praised the President’s leadership and the First Lady’s work in health and social issues, promising support for the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and endorsing President Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

During her two-day official visit to Ondo State, Senator Tinubu launched various health and empowerment initiatives as part of the RHI. At The Dome in Akure, she distributed 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 pairs of crocs to midwives in the South-West region under RHI’s healthcare support program.

Additionally, the First Lady granted N50 million to the wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, to be distributed among 1,000 women petty traders as part of the RHI Small Business Recapitalisation Programme, with 200 beneficiaries also receiving fabric bales to support their enterprises.

In her keynote speech, Senator Tinubu commended frontline healthcare workers and urged them to pursue ongoing training. She highlighted that the distribution of professional kits was aimed at enhancing the federal government’s retraining initiative for 120,000 health workers, of which nearly 60,000 have already completed the program.

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed gratitude for federal initiatives in the state, which included elevating the Adeyemi College of Education to a University of Education and establishing an Airforce School in Akure.

Since its launch in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has offered a range of interventions in health, education, economic empowerment, agriculture, and social investment, benefitting families nationwide. The midwife kit distribution in the South-West marked the fifth geopolitical zone to receive assistance, exemplifying the administration’s commitment to inclusive development and support for vulnerable populations.

The event attracted high-ranking government officials, traditional leaders, and stakeholders from across the state, all of whom praised the President and the First Lady for their efforts to enhance the lives of Nigerians.