WorldStage Newsonline– President Muhammadu Buhari and the Lagos State chapter of the National Conscience Party (NCP) have paid tribute to Gani Fawehinmi on his posthumous 80th birthday
The President in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday urged human rights activists in the country to emulate the virtues of late Nigeria’s foremost social critic and selfless legal luminary, Gani Fawehinmi, through constructive criticism and useful suggestions.
President Buhari, who described late Fawehinmi ‘‘as a true conscience of the nation, defender of democracy and people’s rights advocate’’, urged the activists to partner in the pursuit of national peace, unity and development.
“As the world posthumously marks the 80th birthday of Chief Fawehinmi (22 April 1938 – 5 September 2009), President Buhari fondly remembers the legendary patriot for his altruistic services to the nation, which continue to be sorely missed.
“The late Senior Advocate of the Masses was not an arm chair-critic, nor a rabble rouser who fomented trouble for its sake; but a serious minded, articulate, cerebral and compassionate promoter of fundamental human rights, social justice, equity, fair play and national development.
“Gani was an extraordinary human being and a great reference for all progressive elements in society. He dared death and incarceration and was forced into prison 40 times without bowing to intimidation and molestation.
‘‘He fought for and stood by democracy with every ounce of his blood and immense intellect. He deserves a lingering respect,” the President said in his tribute.
President Buhari admonished Nigerians to imbibe the good deeds of the Ondo State born legal luminary whom he described as detribalised, learned man and Muslim leader (the Seriki Musulimi of Ondo town).
He saluted the late legal Icon “for his doggedness, incorruptibility and fervent belief in the unity and progress of Nigeria as an entity”.
He noted that Fawehinmi who would have been 80 years old on April 22, would never be forgotten as “a committed pace setter and pathfinder for the democracy that we practise today.’’
The President, therefore, urged contemporary civil rights activists and human rights advocates to emulate the late icon for the general progress of the nation.
HE IS A CHAMPION OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY — NCP
The Lagos State chapter of the National Conscience Party (NCP) on Saturday said the contributions of the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, to the growth of democracy is immeasurable.
The state chairman of the party, Mr Fatai Ibu-Owo, made the statement in Lagos at a symposium to commemorate the 80th post- humous birthday of Fawehinmi.
The symposium, organised by the NCP, had the theme: “Gani Fawehinmi, the man, his principles, his struggles and lessons for generation today.”
The fiery lawyer, who always stood against misrule by government in his days, was born on April 22, 1938 and died on Sept. 5, 2009.
During his lifetime, he was in and out of detention due to his uncompromising stance in fighting injustice and defending the poor.
Ibu-Owo described Fawehinmi as a champion of democracy, saying his struggles led the birth of the multi -party democracy the country was now practising.
“Fawehinmi was a champion of democracy and it’s ideals. Through his struggles, he fought for the registration of not only the NCP which he founded, but the other parties.
“He was an advocate of participatory democracy and that the country’s democratic institutions be strengthened,” he said.
The party chairman said Fawehinmi was a lover of the masses, as he dedicated his life to their cause, sometimes inconveniencing himself.
Ibu-Owo said the present generation of leaders had a lot to learn from Fawehinmi’s leadership by example and love for the poor.
He said Fawehinmi was a believer in human capacity development, as he awarded scholarships to people who could not afford education.
Also speaking ,another chieftain of the NCP, Mr John Ntang, extolled the virtues of Fawehinmi.
Ntang, a presidential aspirant of the party, said the life and times of Fawehinmi are replete with lessons for new generation of leaders.
He described Fawehinmi as a man of integrity, whose high moral standing was shaped by proper upbringing.
Ntang said Fawehinmi was incorruptible, adding he never had any case of corruption against him when he was alive.
“Fawehinmi was a reason every parent should ensure proper upbringing of their children.
“His upbringing helped to shape his integrity. He was a man of honour. He loved the masses and the poor,” he said.
Ntang said it was Fawehinmi’s democratic ideals that inspired him to join politics.
Another chieftain, Mr Lanre Adeleke, said Fawehinmi was a good example of selflessness.
The former student leader said the late lawyer helped to secure his release and others when they were detained by the police over agitation for students’ rights.
“When I was the SUG president of OAU, the government detained me and some other students over agitations for the rights of students.
“It was he who helped to secure our release after several weeks in detention and even got a judgement for us against the Federal Government of then,” he said.
Adeleke described Fawehinmi as a humanist whose love for the poor was unmatched.
