Of Meekness And Majesty: A Centennial Tribute to Pa Reuben Fasoranti – By Chief Ademola Folarin, Afenifere Secretary General

By Ademola Adekusibe
9th June, 2026

Chief Ademola Folarin, Secretary General of Afenifere, has penned a moving centennial tribute to Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, the leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju of Yoruba land, describing him as a man of unusual calm, uncommon discipline, grace, and forthrightness.

Folarin revealed that he has known Pa Fasoranti for upwards of 52 years, but his close interaction with him occurred in the last 12 years. In the intervening 40 years, he noted that Fasoranti had remained as constant as the northern star – a man of few words with a disciplined, austere disposition. He exudes a simplicity and meekness so stark that it became a paradox within the milieu of splendour and grandeur of respect, adoration, and love that he instantly attracts.

According to Folarin, Fasoranti is an ingrained consensus builder and peacemaker, naturally wired to bring people together, resolve conflicts, and unite diverse groups and interests. He prioritises understanding differing viewpoints and the underlying needs of every stakeholder. He de-escalates adversarial confrontations and steers groups away from “win-lose” outcomes. He facilitates the search for middle ground, making sure everyone feels heard and respected, which ultimately fosters trust and unity.

Folarin described Fasoranti as a leader who leads from behind by empowering the team to take charge, guiding and supporting them from the rear, focusing on empowerment rather than micromanagement. But he also leads from the front through personal example and active engagement, demonstrating the work ethics, standards, and behaviour he expects from members. He maintains an unblinking focus on the primary purpose of leadership, which is service, not self-aggrandisement.

The tribute highlighted that Fasoranti was never a typical politician, certainly not in the Nigerian hue. Although he became politically active and engaged in the entrenchment of political and ideological purity within the polity from a very early age, he consciously avoided the shiny political limelight. His calmness in the face of turbulence, his courage in the face of adversity, his love even in the midst of enmity, his readiness to forgive even when he is the victim, his generosity even when it means self-denial, and his loving kindness that instantly disarms the enemy – all combine to make him a magnetic rarity, drawing all people to him and placing him on a leadership pedestal that very few can deservedly mount.

Very much in the image of The Teacher, Folarin wrote, Fasoranti is a man of peace, and his entire political career is distinctly remarkable for the absence of acrimony, conflict, or needless controversy. His presence at any gathering naturally douses imminent or apparent tension. As the leader of Afenifere, he presides over caucus and general meetings with characteristic studied silence. He listens attentively, takes in all the details, says very little, and intervenes only to break a deadlock.

A great consensus builder and a faithful adherent to the hallowed ethos of Afenifere, he will never impose his views (except to demand strict adherence to Afenifere values and tradition) but rather submit to consensual decisions. He directs the affairs of Afenifere in its traditional collegial fashion and treats every member, old or young, with due courtesy and respect.

Folarin noted that Fasoranti harbours no ill will. He has never seen him display any aggressive mannerisms, either physical or verbal. His spirit of forgiveness is legendary. He was always driven by the ultimate goal of serving the best interest of his people above his personal interest. When Afenifere proposed supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) in 2023, Fasoranti jettisoned all acrimonious antecedents, embraced the proposal, and gave marching orders to ensure the success of the project.

The tribute highlighted that Fasoranti has been a steadfast and consistent campaigner and reformer in the leadership of the vanguard of progressive forces since 1952. He has persistently championed the clamour, along with his colleagues in Afenifere, for a restructured Nigeria. Within six years of his leadership of Afenifere, the restructuring campaign culminated in the Afenifere-inspired 2014 National Confab. It is to his credit and that of his colleagues in Afenifere and other socio-political organisations that a veritable template for the restructuring of Nigeria has been created, even if yet to be implemented.

At 100, Fasoranti remains mentally alert and socially and politically connected. Although he has pulled back from the day-to-day activities of Afenifere, he remains its highly revered leader, a source of inspiration and a fountain of wisdom.

Folarin described Fasoranti as a man who loves and lives Yoruba unity and progress. Nothing brings a glow to his face and happiness to his heart more than the prospect of a united, safe, prosperous Yorubaland within a fair, just, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria.

“Viva Pa Fasoranti! Long live the leader! Long live Afenifere! Long Live Nigeria! Ire o,” the tribute concluded.