• Police deploy 1, 300 cops to Akure
From TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure
Saturday, September 12, 2009
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Ondo town is already agog for the final burial ceremony of the erudite lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who is highly revered among many Nigerians for his outstanding battle against military tyrants.
Preparation is in top gear, as the Ondo State government has taken the bull by the horn to bankroll the Monday and Tuesday events.
The State Commissioner for Information, who is the head of the burial committee, has given his words that the events would be memorable because of Gani’s contributions to the legal profession.
Gani’s final journey in Ondo State will begin on Monday, September 13, 2009 with tributes at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, where eminent Nigerians, including the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, are expected to eulogize the late human rights activist. The event will be followed on Tuesday, with the final burial of Gani at his country home, where dignitaries from all walks of life are expected to pay homage.
A visit to Ondo town showed that the town is bubbling with life, as the paternal and maternal homes of the late legal luminary have been literally turned to a Mecca, as notable Ondo town indigenes came to pay homage on daily basis. The homes are wearing a new look, with the grass in the compounds being trimmed.
Also, the Okedasa home of the late Fawehinmi has also been given a facelift, though it was in good condition prior to the lawyer’s death.
In order to ensure a hitch-free burial for the late legal icon, the state police command is making arrangement for security. Indeed, the state police command has deployed over 1, 300 policemen to Akure, the state capital and Ondo town.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Donald Iroham, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the measure became necessary in order to give the late legal icon a befitting burial. He said security would be tight to ensure that those who come to pay their last respects to the late lawyer would not have any unpleasant experience, adding that policemen would be deployed at the Akure Township Stadium, where Gani’s remains would be taken for lying-in-state.
The police boss warned miscreants and criminals to steer clear of the burial of the late legal icon, as the command would deal decisively with anybody who foments trouble.
The National Association of Ondo State Students is also warming up to make Gani’s burial a memorable one. The association has fixed Monday, September 14, for its candle procession night. The students, who would wear black attire, to show that they are actually mourning the legal icon, said a posthumous honour was also in the pipeline.
The union’s National President, Comrade Temidayo Temola, said decision to honour Gani was based on his selfless service to mankind. According to him, the late legal icon gave scholarship awards to many Nigerian students.
Describing the late Fawehinmi as a man of honour, he said the late lawyer’s name would be written in gold for life.
Market women, taxi drivers and commercial motorcycle operators in Akure have also promised to honour the late legal practitioner. A source close to the president general of market traders in Ondo state said each would wear a uniform, popularly called “Aso Ebi” in local parlance.
During the week, Ondo lawmakers honoured Gani by holding a special session presided over by the Speaker, Hon Taofik Abdulsalam. It was praise galore, as the lawmakers eulogized the erudite lawyer. The lawmakers wore black suits.
The special session started with the legislator from Fawehinmi’s immediate constituency, Hon Afolabi Akinsiku, opening the floor with praises of the legal icon. He described the late human rights advocate as the best thing that has happened to the Nigeria’s legal profession.
He described Fawehinmi as the man who brought great innovation to the legal profession through constant publishing of law reports.
Also, the Minority Leader, Hon Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, praised Gani, saying that he fought for democracy, through his persistent fight with past military regimes.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon, Mayowa Akinfolarin, on his part, said those who were responsible for the incarceration of Gani should not be allowed to go unpunished. Akinfolarin, who was not happy with the way some people who put the late radical lawyer in prison are now praising him, said such people should cover their faces in shame.
Traditional rulers are not left out. They have described the death of the late lawyer as a colossal loss to the state, the nation and humanity. In a letter of condolence signed by the Chairman, Council of Obas, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lawrence Omowole, the royal fathers said that the nation had lost an icon, whose position would be almost be impossible to fill.
The traditional rulers said in the letter: “We have received with heavy hearts the sad news of the demise of your son, Chief Ganiyu Fawehinmi. By the unfortunate incident, the people of Ondo State, in particular and Nigeria in general have lost an icon whose position will be difficult to fill. His contributions to the progress, social and economic wellbeing of human race will remain evergreen in the minds of all progressive people in the globe. Words are not enough to describe the sacrifices, unrepentant effort to have his society better than he met it. We collectively mourn and grief over this irreparable loss. Our consolation however, should lie in the fact that his useful work and international contributions will remain a mirror for the
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