Erudite Lawyer of note and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi finally succumbed to death following protracted battle with cancer. His death reportedly shook the nation and the international community as his death has been mentioned 107,000 times in the internet.

The NIGERIAN OBSERVER joins millions Nigerians, friends and well wishers to mourn the death of a man who led several protests and actions against oppression, dictatorships and bad governance.

Born on 22 April 1938 into the Fawehinmi family of Ondo in Ondo State , Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi had his early primary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Iyemaja-Ondo from 1947 to 1953 and his secondary school education at Victory College Ikare, a Christian School from 1954 to 1958.

After successfully completing his secondary education, Gani enrolled at the Holborn College of Law –University of London to read law in 1961. He completed his degree in London and later returned to Nigeria for active legal practice and was elevated to the exalted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the highest legal title in Nigeria in September, 2001.

While alive, he tenaciously and uncompromisingly pursued and crusaded his beliefs, principles and ideals for the untrammeled rule of law, undiluted democracy hinged on an expansive social justice, protection of fundamental human rights and respect for the hopes and aspirations of the masses who are victims of evil governments, particularly the military and their civilian collaborators.

Following the doggedness and energy with which he prosecuted his activities, Gani Fawehinmi was severally arrested, detained and charged to court by the military. His international passport was seized on many occasions and his residence and chambers were searched several times. He was beaten up time after time and was ‘deported’ from one part of the country to another to prevent him from mobilizing the masses who were his ardent follower. Little wonder he was dubbed Senoir Advocate of the masses before he was elevated to the rank of SAN.

It is also on record that Late Gani Fawehinmi fought for the entrenchment of freedom of the press in Nigeria as he took on all dictator governments that repressed the media and hounded journalists. In 1986, Chief Gani Fawehinmi was Lawyer to the founding Editor-In-Chief of Newswatch magazine, Dele Giwa who was killed in a bomb blast under suspicious circumstances. Gani openly accused General Ibrahim Babangida, head of the military junta and challenged him in court and at the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa panel set up by the erstwhile government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Since his death, he has been eulogized by hundreds of thousands of people from across the world.

Interestingly, the blind, deaf, dumb, lame and all the physically challenged persons have paid their own tribute in ways and manner that suggest that Gani actually died the leader of the poor masses.

As Gani Fawehinmi is committed to mother earth in his country home, Ondo today, we assert that tears will not return the doyen of the legal profession and pro-democracy activist. What is required is for a mass movement to immortalize what he represented.

It is on this score we like to commend the Edo State Government, Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders for organizing a well-attended tribute ceremony in honour of the fallen activist at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City last Saturday, an occasion that attracted even the octogenarian mother of slain Dele Giwa.

More importantly, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER applauds the Edo State Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole for establishing a Gani Fawehinmi Foundation for Justice and good governance, and donating a personal sum of N25million to promote the ideals of Gani Fawehinmi.

We therefore call on Governments, Corporate Organizations, individuals and lovers of Gani Fawehinmi who have eulogized him to contribute to the foundation and get it going. It is only when we identify with this noble venture that we will actually be seen to have immortalized the widely acclaimed leader of the masses.

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