ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

Statue of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. [Photo credit: Official Twitter handle of the Lagos State Government]

Ambode, Falana, others honour Gani Fawehinmi as Lagos unveils giant statue

byAgency Report
April 22, 2018
4 min read

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday urged Nigerians to draw strength from the legacies and exemplary life of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

He urged them to do so in fighting poverty and improving the society for the benefit of generations to come.

Mr Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Idiat Adebule, made the call at the unveiling of the remodelled statue of late Fawehinmi at Liberty Park in Ojota area of Lagos.

The unveiling of the statue was in commemoration of the late activist’s 80th posthumous birthday.

Mr Fawehinmi, a Nigerian author, publisher, philanthropist, social critic, human rights lawyer, politician and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was born on April 22, 1938.

He died on September 5, 2009 after a prolonged battle with lung cancer.

Mr Fawehinmi set up the National Conscience Party (NCP) and contested the presidential election in 2003.

Governor Ambode, at the unveiling the 44-feet high statue, described the late legal luminary as a relentless human rights lawyer, social critic and a towering figure in human rights activism.

”This event is a celebration of the life and times of Chief Gani Fawehinmi as well as his contributions to the pursuit of the ideals of democracy and human rights.

RelatedNews

COVID-19: Nigeria releases N10 bn for vaccine production

Nigerian governor, who lied about COVID-19, discourages vaccine use

Court wades into crisis rocking Nigerian writers’ union

26 killed in Katsina, Zamfara attacks

”Chief Fawehinmi remains a hero and a role model to many till date.

Late Lagos Lawyer and fiery human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi
Late Lagos Lawyer and fiery human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi

“His memory would remain evergreen in our minds while his lifetime should encourage us to seek for greater good of the people in the society.

”As a government, we draw inspiration from his struggles and ideals as we strive to make life meaningful for our people.

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

“We will continue to keep his ideals alive and pass it on to the next generation,” he said.

According to him, “the monument stands as a testimony of Fawehinmi’s strength and courage.

“He will continue to inspire us as we forge ahead with the mission of building a better society,” Mr Ambode said.

The governor commended late Mr Fawehinmi’s family sustaining his legacies..

A legal practitioner, Femi Falana, described the new Fawehinmii statue as the best monument in the country.

Mr Falana said Mr Fawehinmi was a thorn on the flesh of dictators as he was totally committed to fundamental change — Change from poverty to prosperity.

ADVERTISEMENT

He appreciated Governor Ambode for investing in the remodelling of the statue in honour of Gani and his legacies.

Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state [Photo credit: Instagram - akinwunmiambode]
Former Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state [Photo credit: Instagram – akinwunmiambode]

”It is a mark of greatness to honour great people like Gani who stood for justice, accountability, transparency and equity.

”I want to appeal that the streets named after British administrators who carted away with our country’s resources should be changed to names of our countrymen who have contributed positively to good governance,” Mr Falana said.

Ayodele Akele, Secretary, National Conscience Party (NCP), who also expressed happiness over the remodelling of the statue, said it was a birthday gift to the family, friends and associates of Mr Fawehinmi.

Also speaking, Isa Aremu, Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, described Mr Fawehinmi as defender of the masses who was always on the street to protest against bad governance.

Mr Aremu said Mr Fawehinmi also fought a legal battle to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission could register as many political parties as possible.

”Gani is our mentor because he was with us totally on the street during protests.

“The best way we can all honour him is to sustain his legacies,” Aremu said.

The Convener of the Women Arise for Change Initiative, Joe Okei-Odumakin, said Mr Fawehinmi gave all his resources, time and energy to defend human rights.

”We should imbibe all he lived and died for — justice, good governance, equity, accountability, adherence to rule of law.

“Gani will continue to live in the sub-consciousness of all Nigerians,” she said

The international Coordinator of Concerned Human Rights – Nigeria, Declan Ihekaire, who spoke on behalf of the civil society groups, said Mr Ambode had respected the interest of the civil society organisations.

”When the old statue of Gani was being dismantled, we were not happy and we protested, but now we are very happy with the new statue.

”This statue represents all that Gani lived and died for. He will continue to live on,” he said.

Responding, the first son of the late Mr Fawehinmi, Mohammed Fawehinmi, who spoke on behalf of the family, thanked the state governor.

”I’m overwhelmed seeing this statue and I’m saying a massive thank you to Governor Ambode for honouring our father with this statue.

”It is an indelible work of Art that will place the name of Gani in the global map and it will go into the Guinness book of records no doubt — a statue of 44-feet, it is unbelievable.

”I have a feeling that I will dream about this because when I attended the last unveiling of the old statue, for about three months consecutively I was dreaming of my father telling me things.

“So, I think with this one he will still speak to me,” he said.

Mr Mohammed appealed to Mr Ambode to listen to the yearnings of the residents of Lagos by scrapping the Land Use Charge.

“We appreciate the governor’s efforts in driving development and making Lagos a megacity, but he needs to listen to the yearnings of the people, ” he said.

Mr Mohammed also urged the federal government to intensify its efforts to address the challenges facing the country, especially the herdsmen killings.

According to him, the nation’s natural resources can be utilised to take the country out of its current challenges.

Earlier, the sculptor of the statue, Olurotimi Ajayi of Modupe Studio appreciated Mr Ambode for the opportunity to use creative arts to develop tourism as well as create employment for artistes.

Mr Ajayi also commended the state government for investing in the statue of Mr Fawehinmi, a promoter and defender of the rights of the citizens, as it would serve as an inspiration to the younger generation.

”Visual arts feeds on perception. This statue will sell our local creativity and skills, and investors would be attracted.

”A society that values its heritage and culture is educating and counselling the younger generation on positive pathway, ” he said.

In his address, Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture said that the remodelling of the Gani Fawehinmi statue was part of the state’s strategy to enhance the aesthetic beauty of open public spaces and parks across the state.

Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture. [Photo credit: Official Facebook page of Steve Ayorinde.]
Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture. [Photo credit: Official Facebook page of Steve Ayorinde.]

Mr Ayorinde said the remodelling of monuments across the state was to celebrate and immortalise worthy icons that contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State.

He said the statue was also informed by the desire of the state government to project and entrench the enduring legacy of the country’s foremost human right lawyer.

Mr Fawhinmi, he said, was also an activist, philanthropist and one of the icons of pro-democracy movement in Nigeria.

(NAN)

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (0)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

2019: Keyamo ‘verbally assaulted’ in Awka for supporting Buhari

Next Post

Dangote Foundation donates N120 million secondary school in Lagos

Agency Report

Agency Report

More News

Lagos to auction 88 vehicles caught driving ‘one-way’

Lagos to auction 88 vehicles caught driving ‘one-way’

January 18, 2021
IT engineer’s killing raises security concerns in Lagos

IT engineer’s killing raises security concerns in Lagos

January 18, 2021
Cattle graving on a portion of the expanse

Akeredolu orders herdsmen to vacate Ondo forests within seven days

January 18, 2021
Governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State [PHOTO CREDIT: @seyiamakinde]

Lagos PDP endorses Makinde as South-West leader

January 18, 2021
Nigeria Police Force

Armed men abduct travellers in Osun

January 18, 2021
Governor Kayode Fayemi

Insecurity: Ekiti allocates N1.4 billion to Amotekun – Official

January 17, 2021
Next Post
Aliko-Dangote-1062x598

Dangote Foundation donates N120 million secondary school in Lagos

Late Dipo Famakinwa [Photo Credit: dawncommission.org]

Dipo Famakinwa Colloquium: Participants demand action on restructuring

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad




Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert

Heritage Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps Address Nationwide
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.