Group seeks naming of NHRC, Eagle Square after Gani Fawehinmi

Chairman, Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG), Agunbiade Babatunde (left); Treasurer, Bayo Ogunleye and Public Relations Officer, Akintunde Adedeji, during their visit to Rutam House, Headquarters of The Guardian, in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

Fawehinmi, a remarkable minister in the temple of justice, says Oloja

Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMOG), yesterday, reiterated its call for the naming of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Eagle Square after late jurist, Gani Fawehinmi.

The group made the call, yesterday, during its visit to Rutam House, Headquarters of The Guardian, to seek support for the 85th post-humous birthday of the late Bruno Kreisky Prize for Services to Human Rights winner, coming up on April 22, 2023.

The organisation said it would embark on philanthropic work that cares for the downtrodden on the day and hold a public lecture titled, “Philanthropy as Panacea for the Needs of the Defenceless and the Voiceless.

Chairman, Governing Council of the organisation, Tunde Agunbiade, who spoke with The Guardian, said: “We are calling on the government to immortalise Gani Fawehinmi by renaming the NHRC office in Abuja as Gani Fawehinmi Human Rights Centre (GFHRC) and also rename the Eagle Square as Gani Fawehinmi Square.

“He should be immortalised so that children coming up will be inspired by his exploits.

“April 22, 2023, is the 85th post-humous birthday of Gani Fawehinmi and we are here to familiarise ourselves with The Guardian and as well make known our plans and project for the post-humous birthday.”

In his response, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Martins Oloja, said: “Let me advise you to manage your expectations well. Gani Fawehinmi may not need things to be named after him. He is in the heart of the people as a remarkable minister in the temple of justice. Nobody will forget him.

“At the appropriate time, things will be named after him. He won’t be forgotten.

On his part, Editor, Editorial Page, Kunle Sanyaolu, said: Fawehinmi can never be forgotten. He edited and produced the Nigeria Weekly Law Reports and everyone makes reference to his report even at the Supreme Court. So, he cannot die.

“Fawehinmi’s name will continue to come up whenever anyone wants to write the history of Nigeria. He was one of those that encouraged me to be a lawyer when I was a judicial reporter.”