Mrs. Basirat Fawehinmi-Biobaku, the eldest daughter of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), a renowned social critic and rights activist, made an impassioned appeal to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday. She called on him to prioritise the interests of the masses.
Fawehinmi-Biobaku conveyed this plea while representing the Gani Fawehinmi Family during the 14th memorial event for her late father. The event was organised by the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG) and took place at the Nigerian Bar Association’s secretariat, Ikeja Branch, under the theme “State Of The Nation, 14 Years After Gani.”
In her address, Fawehinmi-Biobaku highlighted that President Tinubu shared a belief in Gani’s principles, policies, and legacies. She used the occasion to urge the President to carry forward her late father’s legacy, emphasising that he, too, had a history as an activist.
“I use this platform to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to please continue with my late father’s legacy because the President was once an activist,” she stated. “We are blessed with mineral resources, and I urge Tinubu’s government to work towards eradicating poverty, providing free education, and improving road networks.”
Drawing on personal memory, she added, “I want to speak to the President personally because he came to speak with my late father in 2009 at his residence in GRA, and I was at that meeting. He spoke and assured my father that he would always have the interest of the masses at heart. Now is the time to bring those promises to fulfilment because he was once on the street; so, he knows where the shoe pinches.”
Fawehinmi-Biobaku urged technocrats to collaborate with the President in building the Nigeria that the masses dream of. She underscored the importance of addressing the needs of the masses, asserting that her late father and brother, Mohammed, would not have remained idle in the face of current challenges.
“On behalf of my mother and the 14 children of Gani Fawehinmi, we urge Tinubu not to forget the masses,” she concluded.
The event’s lead speaker, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), discussed the sub-theme: “The Increase in Military Incursions into Democratic Governance in West African Sub-Region: What Lessons?” Oyetibo expressed dismay over recent military takeovers in Niger and Gabon, emphasizing that there is no legal justification for coups. He urged leaders to be accountable and serve the nation with integrity.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Chairman of GAFAMORG, praised Gani Fawehinmi’s exemplary and courageous life. He announced that the 15th edition of the memorial program would be held in Kaduna State, emphasizing that Gani’s legacy extended beyond Lagos to all Nigerians.
