President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, the renowned educationist and former Afenifere Secretary-General, on his 87th birthday.
In a tribute praising Arogbofa’s lifelong impact on Nigeria’s political and educational landscape, the President hailed him as a principled leader and a “steadfast disciple” of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
A statement issued on Sunday by Information Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga highlighted the President’s admiration for Arogbofa’s “outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the progressive cause.”
Tinubu further noted that the elder statesman remains a pillar of the South-West political establishment, particularly citing his disciplined tenure as Afenifere’s Secretary-General and his unwavering loyalty to its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
“I admire Bashorun Arogbofa for his honesty, integrity, consistency and commitment to what he strongly believes in, including the need for unity and solidarity in Yorubaland.
“As Secretary General of Afenifere, the foremost Yoruba group, he stood by the leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, through thick and thin. He brooked no room for factionalism,” the President stated.
Tinubu also acknowledged Arogbofa’s early and consistent support for his presidential ambition, describing him as one of the respected progressive leaders in the South-West who stood firmly by his aspiration from the outset.
Beyond politics, the President paid tribute to Arogbofa’s distinguished career in the education sector, where he served as a school principal and rose to become National President of the All Nigerian Conference of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).
According to the statement, Arogbofa made significant contributions to improving the standards of secondary education in Ondo State and across the country through his leadership and advocacy.
The President further noted Arogbofa’s intellectual contributions as an author, particularly his work titled “Understanding Afenifere,” in which he chronicled the historical evolution and ideological foundations of the Yoruba socio-political organisation.
Describing him as a reservoir of knowledge and experience, Tinubu prayed for continued strength and longevity for the elder statesman.
“On this occasion of his 87th birthday, I pray that God Almighty will grant him good health and keep him with us for more years so we can continue to drink from his fountain of knowledge, wisdom and experience,” the President said.
Arogbofa is widely regarded as a key figure in Nigeria’s progressive political movement and a steadfast advocate of unity and ideological consistency within the Yoruba socio-political landscape.
Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa also joined in the tributes, hailing elder statesman Basorun Seinde Arogbofa as a “symbol of intellectual depth and principled leadership.”
Speaking at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, during a book presentation and fellowship investiture organized by the Association of Nigerian Authors, the Governor noted that the 87th birthday celebration honored a life that has profoundly shaped Nigeria’s political, cultural, and moral landscape.
Aiyedatiwa described the Afenifere chieftain as a cornerstone of democratic evolution, praising his lifelong consistency and dedication to public service.
He particularly lauded Arogbofa’s book, ‘Understanding Afenifere: A Journey Through the Yoruba Leadership Organisation,’ for preserving the ideological foundations of Yoruba political thought.
According to the Governor, Arogbofa’s career reflects the discipline and institutional memory essential for sustaining any meaningful socio-political movement.
Aiyedatiwa pointed out that voices like Arogbofa’s remain vital to governance, stressing that elders serve as moral guides whose counsel helps keep leaders accountable and grounded.
In his response, Arogbofa expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, describing the honor as a testament to his lifelong dedication to literature and ethical values.
He further urged Nigerians to prioritize reading and continuous learning, calling for active engagement in the nation’s development.
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