Alaafin: Fasehun, builder of a new dawn

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has described the late founder of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, as a ‘’social innovator and change agent who not only worked with the power of intentionality and
alignment with a higher purpose, but whose eyes were on the horizon,
not just on the near at hand, but seeing the big picture and thinking
strategically’’.
The paramount ruler gave the remark in a condolence message by Bode
Durojaiye, his Chief Press Officer, in Oyo town on Tuesday.
Oba Adeyemi noted that Fasehun was among rare visionary leaders in the
country who presented a challenge that called forth the best in people
and brings them together around a shared sense of purpose.
According to him, ‘’There is a profound interconnectedness between the
leader and the whole, as true visionary leaders serve the good of the
whole. They recognize that there is some truth on both sides of most
polarized issues in our society today. They search for solutions that
transcend the usual adversarial approaches and address the causal
level of problems. They find a higher synthesis of the best of both
sides of an issue and address the systemic root causes of problems to
create real breakthroughs’’.
Fredrick Fasehun, the royal father went on, was effective in
manifesting his vision because he created specific, achievable goals,
initiated action and enlisted the participation of others.
‘’He has a deep commitment to his fellow beings’ welfare, just as
demonstrated the power of living their values. Rather than being
corrupted by position, Fasheun was elevated by it and exercised moral
leadership’’.
Alaafin who also referred to Fasheun as a Nationalist, recalled the
prominent role Fasehun played as a member of the defunct National
Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which campaigned against military rule
in the country.
‘’Fasehun in 1993 founded the Movement for Social and Economic Justice
MOSEJ, emerging as its National Chairman. He was the founder of Oodua
People’s Congress whose agitation against injustice and extrajudicial
killings as well as resistance to perceive ploy to waste the Yoruba
Nation has become legendary. A noiseless but adroit negotiator,
Fasehun pointedly rejected the late Head of State, Sani Abacha’s
request to have him serve in his military dictatorship. Fasehun boldly
said that he “is a patriotic democrat who should be seen struggling
against those who have continued to wrench sovereignty from our people
rather than join them”.
‘’ The late OPC Founder contended for justice and democracy having
been in and out of detention countless times for his front-row role in
street and undercover agitation for good governance. He was one of the
three leaders of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO who staged
the rally for Abiola after the latter claimed his mandate as President
of Nigeria’’.
The royal father prayed that almighty God would comfort all those who mourn the octogenarian and grant peace to his soul.