As Gani Fawehinmi finally succumbed to cancer of the lungs, without achieving a better Nigeria, which he labored for so many years, Icheoku asks, is it worthwhile to fight for a Nigeria which is impervious to correction and/or change? Was it worth the trouble to remain a rabble-rouser amidst a people who are deaf and dumb to cry for change and a better future for the country? Did Gani die in vain, since the ills of the society which he fought so gallantly against have only metastasized in recent past? These postulations, we throw up in our effort to find a realistic way to mourn the loss of a Nigerian-best, and the most vocal critic of various inept governments which Nigeria have been cursed with over the years! We are commiserating the passage of the sage, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, SAN! 
Gani as he was admiringly called, died in the early hours of Saturday morning, September 5, 2009. He was 71 years! A good ripe old age in Nigerian context with their known very short life span, one may say; but not when the deceased was Gani Fawehinmi, who was so much loved by many and also despised by few others? His Nigerian doctors had misdiagnosed his cancer of the lungs for something else, which enabled it to progress ravenously and had taken such a toll on him, that when his London doctors finally figured out it was cancer that was ailing him; it was almost too late. However they managed to sustain him alive for two years, before finally sending him home recently to go prepare for the inevitability! In the words of one perturbed sympathiser, "That with all his means, our run down health-care system could not even diagnose Gani correctly until things got out of hands typifies the perilous state in which the masses Gani fought for all his life have found themselves after 40 years of Gani’s struggles and 49 years of Nigeria's independence? 
Since his demise, so many obituaries have been said about him, some of which we shall now share with you:- He consistently confronted the menace of institutionalised injustice, wanton official corruption and excruciating poverty unleashed on hapless Nigerians by a tiny rapacious ruling elite. His legacy is of integrity, courage and consistency. The greatest tribute which can be paid to Gani is for all forces of social change and democracy to get organised to liberate the Nigerian people from the shackles of reactionary forces of internal colonialism." He was a social crusader, constitutional lawyer, publisher, political thinker, human rights activist and a force in the socio-political history of Nigeria. He will be remembered among other things, as a champion of the oppressed, a voice for the voiceless and the soul and spirit of democracy activism in Nigeria. He could be described as a unique man of honour, a man of courage, a man of the people, a man who truly obeyed the biblical injunction, even though he was a muslim, and loved his neighbour as himself. He was irrepressible friend of the subjected, rejected, dejected, suppressed, repressed, oppressed and dehumanized underclass everywhere in the world'; which world Icheoku would rather qualify as Nigeria. His struggles were complex and multi-dimensional. A lawyer of great repute, he left his footprints on Nigeria Law field with the publication of his authoritative Nigerian Weekly Law Reports which chronicled stare decisis of Nigeria Supreme Court. He also fought and won many landmark cases thus in many ways, helped to advance the country’s jurisprudence! 
Continuing, he was the lion of Nigerian law, an indisputable colossus of humanism. He was a fearless and tireless tormentor of those who imposed themselves as rulers on the hapless people of Nigeria. His achievements in his chosen field are monumental, his impact as the conscience of the nation undeniable, his legacy for posterity unforgettable. Gani stood out in his own column throughout his journey of life; a journey that was characterised with fighting battles using the rule of law as a weapon of combat. He was not a customary soldier, but a civilian soldier, a legal luminary and courageous Nigerian who was driven by his passions, convictions and beliefs. He doggedly and unreservedly fought against oppression, repression, dictatorship, retrogression, imperialism, greed, avarice, bad governance and leadership in the country consistently and persistently for several decades. Gani was an icon, a role model, defender of the voiceless and a terror to all Nigerian despots. What indeed marked Gani out of the many was that he chose the course he would chart and pursued it notwithstanding all the odds on the way. That is why many now salute his courage. You may not agree with his method, you may hate his guts, but you cannot fault the fact that he is genuine, he is honest and he truly loves the people. He stood firm in opposition to those who conspire against the common good of Nigeria's commonwealth. One commentator out of UK emphasised that Gani cannot die as he lives forever in his works, stating that the greatness of a man is measured by what he lived and died for. The commentator also prayed that God will help Nigeria produce many Gani Fawehinmis? A Nigerian brand is gone. 
Further, we never believed that people like Chief Gani Fawehinmi could really die. There, it is the mortality of our essence has come home to take away an icon of this country. Gani, the lion of the Nigerian human rights community has gone to join Senator Edward Kennedy, the lion of the US Senate - two great men who doggedly fought for the defenceless common people? Icheoku says, whether both men compare very well is left for students of history to analyse? By his death, Gani lost nothing , but the Nation of Nigeria has lost one of her best gifts? On the legal turf, he stood out, in his democratic struggle, especially against military rule, he had no rival and for quest for justice for the downtrodden citizens, it cost him money, pains and detention in the most bizarre conditions. The progressive forces in Nigeria have lost a formidable and reliable leader. He died an accomplished person. "He is the soul of our democracy and the conscience of our nation. He was an embodiment of principle and a symbol of conviction. Fawehinmi represented our hopes, dreams and future. He was integrity and selfless sacrifice personified. He was a light for the nation in darkness. He was a colossus, a tower and propeller of our dreams. Fawehinmi was not just a mortal. He was a spirit of change and he lives on." The most consistent Nigerians that ever lived. He sacrificed his entire lifetime fighting people who are ruling Nigeria oppressively. A defender of the defenseless and the voice of the voiceless. "We mourn today because God took Gani away without a replacement! We pray that God gives us an immediate replacement before the evil rulers of Africa consume us with hunger, frustration, disease and conflicts. The death of Fawehinmi as the death of an era and a challenge to those still alive! 
Indeed, it is a mourning time for the country; but for Gani, it is a triumphant exit from the land of sinners. We will always look for a hero in our people. We have lost a gem. He can live to eternity, but you and I must take a challenge and look for an alternative. His death marked the physical end of a radical phenomenon that was a thorn in the flesh of irresponsible government leaders in Nigeria for over 40 years. The late activist lived a beautiful life dedicated to beliefs and actions in defence of the cause of the cheated, persecuted and oppressed people of Nigeria. Chief Gani Fawehinmi was a ‘one-man army’ who fought relentlessly for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria and for the rule of law. He was a touch bearer who showed forth the light even in the dark days of military rule. He was a legal warrior. Gani Fawehinmi, irrepressible friend of the subjected, rejected, dejected, suppressed, repressed, oppressed and dehumanized underclass everywhere in the world is gone. We do not require a prophet to know that long after Gani must have departed from this world his works and times would continually inspire scholarly and revolutionary writings. 
A maverick, philanthropist, benefactor of great repute, Gani had a sacrificial commitment to principles. According to some sources, he once performed the Chinese Tianamen Square feat when he laid down on the road at Yaba Lagos, during a protest against a military
government, daring their armoured tank to crush him? Icheoku cannot confirm or deny this particular story but like all legends, some embellishments are always possible. With him now gone, the rank of morally upright Nigerians who would shout on top of their lungs at the sight of evil is now further depleted. Who shall call to order the marauders of Nigeria PLC, now that Gani is gone? Who shall hold Babangida accountable for the murder of Dele Giwa now that Gani is gone? Now Nigeria is left with only Wole Soyinka as the last remaining true social crusader; with Tai Solarin, Beko, Fela and now Gani all travelled to the land beyond time, leaving Nigerians hapless in the face of the wolves masquerading as their ruling elites. Like a brood of chicken without the mother-hen, the hawks will now have a field-day as good Nigerians mourn the loss of one of a kind, Gani Fawehinmi! Gani who never quit nor tire in the course of pursuing justice in Nigeria. When during one of his chats with the media he was asked if he will ever quit activism; Gani replied, "Absolutely not. The question of retirement or quitting the struggle does not exist so far things remain the same. I will not quit until I see a better society.” Icheoku adds, unfortunately Gani died without retiring, quitting nor ever seeing a better Nigerian society which he fought tirelessly for, eliciting the question, was it worth the trouble? 
Born in 1938, studied law at Holborn College of Law England in 1961-64, was called to the Nigerian bar on 15 January 1965 and later that year, established his practice at 108 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos. He litigated over 5,000 law suits during his lifetime and was arrested more than 36 times, beginning with his first detention in 1969 when he defended a less privileged Nigerian whose wife was defiled by a top government personnel; he was detained more than 15 times during this period. Gani died at Lister Medical Center, Ikeja. He will be buried at his home town in Ondo State, Nigeria's Yoruba Southwest region on Tuesday September 15 2009. Icheoku thought Gani Fawehinmi was a devout Muslim who must be buried so soon after death, so why wait for two weeks or was he a special kind of Muslim? Coincidentally also, his burial is slated on the same day MEND promised to resume hostilities with feudalistic Nigerian northern government? Icheoku asks, did the Fawehinmi family check with MEND or are they part of the group which thinks that MEND has been defanged by the amnesty and subsequent defections by some few turn-coats? Who knows what will happen in Ondo state come September 15, 2009 as the state is part of a broader Niger Delta region where the struggle for resource control and freedom is very virulent and heavily entrenched? A Yoruba demagogue or traditionalist-muslim, Gani Fawehinmi fell to the temptation of polygamy; was married to two wives Ganiat Ibukun Fawehinmi, who has eight (8) children with him, and Abike Fawehinmi, with whom he had six (6) children! Icheoku says whether it was his Islamic upbringing or his African machismo that goaded him into taking an extra wife, the true reason has now died with the man, Gani. He was survived by his two wives and fourteen children; may his soul rest in peace! As ignorant as it may seem and is, one of Gani's wives, Ganiyat Fawehinmi, has accused former Nigerian military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida of 'creating the cancer that killed the late activist?' Icheoku says, only in Nigeria that people could believe a person is capable of "creating cancer" that killed a 71 year old man? It is not only ridiculous but is as much laughable! Who knows the level of educational attainment this wife of Gani herself achieved, which could have guarded against such thoughtless, baseless, unfounded and unscientific allegation? According to the said wife's allegation, how can cancer of the lungs kill Gani who have never smoked cigarettes? In answer, Icheoku says, Gani was not the first non-smoker to ever die of lung cancer, as it is not cigarettes alone that causes lung cancer; it is just one of a host of other causative agents. If we remember correctly, the wife of actor Christopher 'Superman' Reeve died of lung cancer and Dana Reeve never smoked her entire life? 
According to an informed source, as cancer tore slowly but ferociously into his lungs, Gani Fawehinmi had one wish on his death bed, that he could write his memoirs. This is because of the way the labours of Nigeria’s past heroes were never documented for the benefit of future generations:- such as the late Alao Aka-Bashorun who fought for democracy and human rights and whom nobody seems to remember today, Wahab Goodluck, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Professor Ayodele Awojobi, Beko Ransome Kuti, Michael Imodu, Raji Abdllah and Tai Solarin just to mention a few of people who died without documenting their experiences in the struggle for justice in Nigeria. Fawehinmi was afraid that posterity might not remember him and his struggles as many 25-year-old Nigerians, today hardly know anything about those past icons who dedicated their whole lives to the cause of social justice in the country. With these lamentations of Gani Fawehinmi, now also a gone former activist, Icheoku asks, is it worthwhile, afterall, to fight for Nigeria when men who have tried it in the past, died without ever achieving their objective to see a better Nigeria? Moreso it would appear that the rot in the system is getting ulcerous and worst with each passing day? Also no one seem to remember these warriors of the yore, once the deluge of eulogy at their death have passed, sweeping away with them their memories so soon after their interment? What is the use, then? 
Finally, like one mourner said, whether Gani will be remembered as a gadfly, an irritant, a conscience of the nation or a social crusader is for posterity to determine; however, one thing even his most uncharitable critic would admit is that he was a fighter with a cause, unwavering and committed to the core till his last breath! Adieu Gani!
When Senator Edward Kennedy passed on recently, Americans felt a deep sense of loss because a truly national hero and patriot was gone. Few public figures in the world can serve for as long as he did without losing focus or becoming a villain. Yet, for the four decades he served in the US Senate, Ted remained focused and consistent on his message. His life and time demonstrated the value of patriotism and dedication to a good cause.
ReplyDeleteJust about the time Senator Kennedy was settling down to business in the American Senate, back home in Nigeria, a young lawyer named Gani Fawahenmi was also setting out on a cause from which he would never abdicate: fighting for the oppressed. It was a cause to which he would dedicate his entire life. For someone never to have held public office, it is hard to find a personality that has become a household name as Gani was for virtually his entire life.
On reflection, it is my conviction that a few words to mourn the exit of the legal luminary would do justice to the man who lived and died fighting for justice. Gani was many things to many people, but ultimately, he will be always remembered as an anti corruption crusader who spent four decades challenging the status quo.
Gani’s death has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill not because there are no lawyers of his ilk in the country. What Gani has taken from Nigeria is the selfless zeal, commitment and fearlessness with which he challenged those in authority on any perceived injustice. It would be difficult to find any Nigerian that has been to prison as many times as my late friend in his quest for justice.
The demise of Gani must of necessity make one reflect on the absence of real statesmen in Nigeria. Where are the heroes to whom our young must look up to? Where are statesmen around whom the history of this epoch will be told? It is in answering these questions that the greatness of Gani will manifest. This man was offered, and turned down high public office more than any living Nigerian. Yet, we must look up to him as a hero and a statesman. That, to me is the greatest tribute to Gani.
This short tribute to the life and times of the legal luminary will be incomplete without mentioning his many battles not only with the government, but even within his immediate constituency- the Nigerian Bar Association. At a time when the NBA declared military tribunals under the Buhari Regime illegal, Gani, on the basis of his fight against corruption went contrary to the body. Reflecting on the ills wrought by corruption on Nigeria today, Gani was right to have taken that position.
Gani’s many battles with successive administrations are public knowledge. His stand against the evil of corruption is legendary. His commitment to a better Nigeria was unrivalled. His stand against injustice was unquestionable. But beyond all these, Gani Fawehenmi will be remembered as a hero in a nation in search of heroes.
Beyond all the flowery eloquence on the death of this hero, how can we honour his memory? How can Nigerians ensure that the fight to which Gani committed over forty years of his life is not lost? The corruption against which Gani fought all his life is still very much alive.
Ultimately, to honour the memory of this great Nigerian and ensure that his selfless service to Nigeria is not in vain, all Nigerians everywhere in the world, and of all ages must, as a matter of urgency begin to consult, on the way forward. Good governance does not happen by accident. It must be fought for. Corruption will not die a natural death. It must be killed.
It is time for Nigerians to come together as one to fight for, and institutionalize the values of justice, transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs. That way, Gani’s struggles would not have been in vain, and the Nigeria of our dreams will become a reality. But to achieve these, we must be willing to fight the fight. The choice is ours.
Nnamani is a former President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Icheoku honors a NIgerian giant, an indefatigable Nigerian, whose sojourn on earth-Nigeria made quite a lot of difference.
ReplyDeleteGani was a legal luminary extra-odinaire, a social crusader and an anti-corruption activist, who refused to be bought, compromised or in any way mortgaged his conscience!
In short Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi was a quintessential Nigerian, the like of who Nigeria may never see again. By his death, Nigeria has lost one of her very few remaining moral compass; and because of his demise, farther goes adrift the ship of motherland!
Muslim Ummah Condemns Parading Of Fawehinmi’s Corpse
ReplyDeleteWritten by Sakin Babalola
Sunday, 13 September 2009 21:17
>Says it is unIslamic
Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday during their annual lecture and condemned the burial arrangement of the human rights activist and social crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who would be committed to mother earth this week.
But they extolled the virtue of the senior advocate of Nigeria who spent his life time in the service of humanity, adding that they were happy that he died as a Muslim.
Dr. Salisu Shuaib , the master of ceremony during the annual Ramaddan lecture, said that he was expressing the views of the entire Muslim Ummah.
''We are not pleased with the way his corpse was being paraded to all parts of the country. It is un-Islamic, he pointed out.
Dr. Shuaib said that it was gratifying that Fawehinmi died a Moslem adding that such was a thing of joy to them all.
''We know that he represented many things. He is a man of the people. We commiserate with his family, he added.
Prayers were then said for the repose of the human rights activist.
Professor Kamaldeen Balogun ,who spoke on the topic: "Re-branding Nigeria through the lessons of Ramadan, reminded the Federal Government of the fact that before we could have a genuine re-branding , there must be a successful war against hunger and poverty.
According to the Islamic scholar, a situation where the money in the country is in the hands of a few people was dangerous for the security of such people as well.
He reminded Muslims that Ramadan period was a time of displaying mercy to those in need.
Prof Balaogun appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that education was free to University level for all and sundry.
He then urged all Muslims particularly those in government to make honesty and selflessness their watch word adding that without those virtues in place their fasting would be an exercise in futility.
Gani to be Buried with Coffin, Says Family
ReplyDelete•Ajibola decries lying-in-state
From Tunde Saani in Ibadan and Charles Ajunwa in Lagos, 09.14.2009
Saheed, the second son of the late legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), yesterday disclosed that his father had instructed family members that his remains should be buried with a coffin when he dies.
Gani had lost the spirited battle with lung cancer on Saturday September 5. His remains will be buried tomorrow in Ondo, his hometown, after the lying-in-state ceremonies in Lagos and Benin, Edo State.
Saheed told THISDAY that his late father had said his corpse should not be buried immediately and that his burial should be done in “a modern Islamic way”, which will allow his body to lie in state.
He also said his dad instructed them to continue with the good works he did while alive.
But former Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Prince Bola Ajibola, has said the lying-in-state ceremonies held for the late Gani were anti-Islam.
Ajibola’s position tallied with that of the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South-west Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof. Dawud Noibi. The duo spoke at the body’s First Annual Lecture held in Ibadan.
Saheed said: “He asked not to be buried immediately as they did in the olden days. He instructed us to bury him in a modern Islamic way and he asked for that to be done when he was no more. Also, he said that his body should be buried with a coffin and as you can see we are merely carrying out his instructions.
In Ibadan, prayers were, however, offered for Gani at the Ramadan lecture with a declaration that his death at the holy month of Ramadan was a ticket to Paradise for him.
According to Ajibola, the good deeds of the deceased social crusader and the post humus encomiums on him even by the less-privileged were enough evidence that he had a blessed life and should be allowed to go back to His Creator without delay.
“In Islam, we are enjoined to bury our dead without any form of delay. I am surprised at this funfare over the burial of Chief Gani Fawehinmi and I think he ought to be accorded speedy burial rites so that he can start to benefit from the favours of Allah in the grave,” he said.
Noibi congratulated Gani’s children and family for the life of their breadwinner, urging them to emulate his virtues.
Like Ajibola, the don, however, picked hole in the funfare trailing his death, saying it was totally against Islam.
“We are happy as muslims that Chief Gani Fawehinmi lived a worthy life. We are however unhappy that at a time he should be given speedy burial to reunite with his Lord, his lifeless corpse is being taken everywhere for the fun of it. This is clearly unIslamic. It is hoped that other persons would draw a lesson and order that their corpse should be buried in record time when they die,” he said.
Clerics at the occasion like the Chief Imam of Owo in Ondo State, Alhaji Ahmed Olagoke Aladesawe, and Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, in their sermons, called on muslims to allow their ways of life to be guided by the tenets of the religion regardless of their respective status in the society.
"For us to be part of those who will enter Paradise at the end of our sojourn in this world, all we need to do is to see other muslims as our brethrens, give our religious leaders their due respect and shun any act of indiscipline," he said