His death has denied Nigeria a democratic crusader –Uduaghan
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, said the death of the legal luminary has denied the country a democratic crusader. Uduaghan’s message reads: “I am greatly saddened by the death of one of Nigeria’s legal icons, Chief Gani Fawehinmi. ‘Gani’, as he is popularly known, made his mark in the Bar as a brilliant lawyer, but connected deeply with the people, especially the poor and underprivileged through his onerous crusade for social justice and human rights.”
According to Uduaghan, the late lawyer’s beliefs which he had the courage to pursue, suffered greatly, enduring a lot of hardships especially during the military era, which he fought with uncommon courage and dogged zeal.
“Today, Nigeria is a democracy, thanks for the enormous contributions of Gani and others like him, even in that, Gani the tireless gadfly continued to campaign for a better democratic practice, challenging any aspect that showed disrespect for the people’s will and right.”
The governor noted that Chief Fawehinmi might not have achieved all his objectives, but that he made such monumental impact, stressing that a vacuum that would be hard to be filled had been created by his exit.
On his part, the state Deputy Dovernor, Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), said: “One is sad that Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), is dead. But for the mysterious nature of death, Chief Gani Fawehinmi would have fought it to a standstill as a powerful social justice crusader and advocate. He will be remembered for his monumental contributions to legal development and practice through his Nigerian Weekly Law Report, other publications and fearless advocacy. May his soul rest in peace.”
Posted by Buchy Enyinnaya | Location: Asaba Time: 09/09/2009 03:30 AM