TEARS AS GANI IS BURIED

Remains of the late legal icon, Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi were lowered into the grave at exactly 3.32 pm at his home town, Ondo on Tuesday September 15, 2009 amidst pomp and pageantry. Tears flowed freely from the eyes of family members, politicians, including the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, members of the civil liberty group as the human rights activist’s body was finally interred beside his late mother’s grave at Oka area of Ondo township. Many could not contain their emotions, as they burst into tears, chanting “Gani, Gani has gone into the grave. Goodbye, the friend of the masses.”

Before the burial, the corpse laid in state at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre where notable Nigerians including the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido and the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko showered praises on the late legal luminary. Governor Adams Oshiomhole described Gani as a courageous rights activist who stood for the rights of the oppressed and downtrodden. He said the late lawyer fought tirelessly against military invasion, saying his fight was responsible for the democracy the people of the country were enjoying. His words, “Gani was the heart of the Nigerian masses, he was the voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless” The Jigawa Governor on his part said Gani would be remembered for his contribution towards strengthening of the legal profession. He charged Nigerians to emulate the good virtues of the late lawyer, stressing that Gani was a fearless being who stood for truth at all times. Governor Mimiko in his speech, said the life of Gani was worthy of emulation, stressing that he lived a life for the oppressed “Though he is dead now, but we are grateful to the Lord for his life and we are proud of our association with him and we thank him for the eternal pride that he brought the way of our dear Ondo State, for whether anyone likes it or not, the Gani Fawehinmi phenomenon has helped substantially to define the nature and image of the Ondo State personality as a dedicated defender of the truth, a focused and conscientious hard worker, resilient in struggle, and driven by a deep sense of conformity with the Omoluwabi ethos of the Yoruba. “Though today, Gani Fawehinmi is no more, but we are consoled by the fact that he would rest well confident that his place in the heart of Nigerians and lovers of truth, freedom and justice all over the world is assured.”

He used the occasion to thank numerous guests both far and near who graced Gani’s final burial, adding, “I am highly grateful to all of you present for honouring our invitation to give Gani a befitting burial. The corpse was later moved to the Ondo Central Mosque where the Chief Imam of Ondo, Alhaji Basiru Alimi admonished Nigerians to emulate the exemplary life exhibited by Gani when he was alive. He described death as a necessary end that could not be avoided by any human, stressing that every human should learn how to live a good life. He said, “Gani has done his own part on earth, let us all be courageous enough to stand against injustice and oppression which was Gani’s hallmark. “We should all endeavour to always say the truth at any point in our lives, so that people will be able to say good things after our exit.”
SOURCE:THESUN