Kunle Adelabu
Like the Northern star, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Reuben Basorun has constantly proves that he is a force to be reckoned with as eminent individuals showered congratulatory messages on him as he turned 82 today.
The former banker, accountant, Community builder, astute politician and former Secretary to the Lagos State Government, celebrated his birthday amidst joy and gratitude to God.
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, in his congratulatory message sent to THE IMPACT, described Asiwaju Basorun as a foremost political personality and community leader and prayed that the elder statesman lives for more years on earth.
He also charged the Octogenarian to use his position to further engender human and community developments.
“It is another year to celebrate one of our foremost political personalities, religious leader, community builder and the Asiwaju of Igbogbo Kingdom, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun”, Oba Kasali said.
“I am glad that you are seeing another year in good health, happiness and with a sense of fulfillment that your years on earth have been productive, impactful and with great achievements.
“Asiwaju Sir, I join your family, friends, colleagues, associates and million others to identify with you as you added another year today.
“May Olodumare continue to grant you more strength, capacity and wherewithal to continue to lead our community to greater height.
“I also pray that your remaining years on earth will be spent in greater fulfillment of witnessing further developments of our youths, Igbogbo Kingdom, Ikorodu Division and Lagos State as a whole”, Oba Kasali prayed.
The Representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in Abuja, Hon. Babajimi Benson, in his own message, described the celebrant as an understanding leader with immense wisdom.
“Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life. Happy Birthday to an understanding leader whose words of wisdom and knowledge on issues are exemplary”, Hon. Benson wrote on his social media walls.
“May the good Lord continue to guide and guard you in Jesus’ mighty name”, the lawmaker prayed.
Speaking with THE IMPACT on phone from Abeokuta, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the representative of the Ikorodu Constituency I, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, stated that the old Awoist is a special breed.
He also stated that Basorun is not just a politician and community builder, but an elder statesman who has involved himself in community, divisional, state and nation building.
The ranking lawmaker wished Asiwaju Basorun more years on earth in good health, happiness and with a sound mind.
The Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the October 31, Lagos East bye – election, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru, also felicitated with Asiwaju Basorun on his social media platforms.
He wrote:
“I felicitate with Pa Olorunfunmi Bashorun – a member of Governance Advisory Council (GAC), on his 82nd birthday.
“Pa Bashorun, a retired deputy director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Secretary to the State Government during Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration between 1979 and 1983, was born on October 15, 1938.
“I describe Pa Bashorun as not just a prominent political figure in Lagos East, but also a father who has been a steady source of inspiration and support for the younger generation.
“As a chartered banker and a lawyer, I noted Pa Bashorun rose through the ranks to become a deputy director in the apex bank until the Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration appointed him secretary to the state government in 1979.
“Since he joined partisan politics in 1979, I observed that Pa Bashorun has been a consistent and dependable progressive, faithfully working with other apex leaders in APC to take the state to a greater level.
“Pa Bashorun was at the centre of the team that conceived a 14-point programme for Alhaji Jakande’s governorship campaign. He also played key roles in the transformation of the 14-point plan into a government programme when the Lateef Jakande administration took off in 1979.
“At 82, I congratulate Pa Reuben Olorunfunmi Bashorun for a life full of fulfillment and service to humanity. I also thank God for His grace and mercy upon your life. With all my heart, I pray God will satisfy you with a longer life; bless you with sound health and grant you unfailing memory of all your days on earth”.
A young politician and Vice President/Director of Organisation, De Vanguard in Igbogbo, Mr Ahmed Lekan Aroyewun, in his own congratulatory message sent to THE IMPACT, titled, “The Irrepressible Asiwaju of Igbogbo Kingdom: My Own Political Idol”, wrote:
“I am raising a toast to this remarkable community frontliner, a renowned banker, refined legal practitioner, pious clergy man and a foremost political colossus, ASIWAJU REUBEN OLORUNFUNMI BASORUN who has dared to tread where others dread and has impacted the entire Lagos State with his innate wisdom and unwavering community zeal.
“He is a quintessential leader who has the magical ability to discover and mentor young talents and place them in a vantage position for greater impacts, reputed to be excellent in knowledge and character.
“I pride myself as one of such young chaps who have enjoyed unsolicited mentorship and extreme kindness from the indefatigable ROBASH.
“Indeed,when the history book of Lagos foremost political icons will be written,there is no shadow of doubt that several pages will be reserved for Asiwaju for he has consistently created a roadmap for administrative easy ride for successive administration .
“At 82, he remains undiminished in knowledge, relevance and influence. It is, therefore, in order to salute the remarkable political guru and the exemplary son of Igbogbo Kingdom”.
