There was a commemoration march in honour of the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi in Lagos on Wednesday, September 1
Fawehinmi was a civil rights activist who was known for championing the cause of Nigerians. He passed away in September, 2009.
The march which marked the sixth year since the popular lawyer’s demise began from Ikeja to the park in Ojota named after him. The march was organized by Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise.
The members numbering more than 50 sang solidarity songs and carried placards displaying pictures and messages in honour of the late lawyer.
Solidarity march in honour of Late Gani Fawehinmi, Credit Emmanuel Osodi
Solidarity march in honour of Late Gani Fawehinmi, Credit Emmanuel Osodi
Comrade Ayodele Adewale, one of the top members who spoke exclusively to Naij.com said the essence of the walk was to remember and reflect on the vision of Fawehinmi who he believed died for the struggle of the common man.
It is not a day to just remember Gani but regurgitate, think and move forward”, he said,
“Gone are those years when the votes of the Nigerian people never counted.”
The former chairman of Amuwo Odofin local government said that President Muhammadu Buhari was endorsed by Gani Fawehinmi when he was alive. He added that the president has a road map and Nigerians should be patient with him.
He also said that he strongly believed that by his fourth year in office, President Buhari would have impressed the people with what he has done.
Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, president of Women Arise and a popular human rights activist said the essence of the solidarity march was to remember Gani Fawehinmi and what he represented. She said he was a man who consistently displayed courage and was an epitome of the struggle for a better Nigeria.
The late human rights activist was a staunch critic of military rule and was in and out of prison between 1969 and 1996. He e famously rejected a Nigerian national award offered to him in 2008.
In a related development, Lagosians marched in solidarity of the over 200 Chibok girls who were abducted by Boko Haram. The march was to commemorate the 500th day of the girls’ disappearance.