ife, to me, is not how long but how well you lived. People live life full of passion, while some live years of regrets to the community for inflicting pains on the less privileged. Some we wish never die; while we wished some were never born.

Late Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi
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We bewail, yowl when someone dies. We begin to assess reasons for such reactions. Some could be crying for where to get the burial expenses, some for the great loss, not wanting the person to die, some are crying that with gratitude to God that the devil is gone.

Most Nigerians could be impatient and would acquire any title they are after by all means possible, regardless their qualifications for the title. Who cares? Some people are not considering the title they would get at the end of the day; that is R.I.P.

Some Nigerians in human flesh, lean toward their religious beliefs that if and when they die, do whatever God commands, they will go straight to heaven. HEAVEN, to the believers, is a very luxurious place cleverly defined by religious leaders as a place good people will go when they bid this world farewell. Meanwhile, they belief that bad PEOPLE would go to HELL, where there is fire, dangerous animals and reptiles. Little do people realize that peoples HEAVEN and HELL are here on earth? Definitely individuals would start feeling wherever they would go after death right from earth.

The renowned human rights activist, Chief Friday Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi (SAN), born Friday 22nd April, 1938, to late Chief Seriki Tugbobo Saheed Fawehinmi, passed on at the early hours of Saturday, September 5, 2009, after battling with lung cancer, on the sixth anniversary of the burial of his mother, Alhaja Munirat. Gani was finally buried, Tuesday, September 15, 2009. He has gone to join some other fallen Nigerian human and political activists such as Abraham Adesanya, Alao-Aka Bashorun, and Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti.

Gani's struggle against the military, most especially, for the common people, the helpless Nigerians, cost him money, pains, detention in the most humiliating fashion, and early death through the poison from the human waste while in Gusau's prison. Thousands of Nigerians benefited from the life of Gani. Millions of Nigerians would continue to benefit from him in the future.

The beneficiaries of Gani's life crosses religion, State of origin, or ethnic affiliation, which some iniquitous leaders use as barometers for human services. He was a REAL Nigerian, not on the surface. He was an example of a genuine detribalized Nigerian, not the ornamental one still alive. He was an activist with human face on his activism.

Religious fanaticism was never part of Gani's life. His life demonstrated that, lack of religious practicability in the life and activities of some Nigerian leaders could have been responsible for most of the misinterpretations of what the Holy Books say. Some would raise eyebrows as to the delay in his burial as a Moslem, but in essence, that's part of his life style, not a religious fanatic. Even if some traditional Chiefs could defy their tradition to pay respect to Gani, who dare challenge, the delay in his burial.

Hasten the dead to the grave so as to enable the deceased meet what awaits them in heaven or hell is for our creator to decide. In our life time King Hassan, King Hussein of Morocco and Jordan, Ayatollah Khomeini's burials were delayed for days. Gani was no discriminator on religious or ethnic grounds.

To some school, there is no place like heaven or hell, both hell and heaven are of this world and every human beings would get the rewards of their labor right on earth. We thank God for the life of Gani Fawehinmi, the man who practicalized his religion.

Human beings love to sing songs of praise of someone after the demise, when he could no longer know what is happening except for the spirit, which we have no means of knowing. How the spirit of the dead feels is unknown to any fellow human beings alive, except through those that are super-naturally gifted. Unfortunately, we have some pretenders claiming to be supernaturally gifted for the simple reason of sustaining their life.

It is good to listen to people's comments, "Fawehinmi was fearless as a kid", "a dogged fighter and fearless person from his youth", "a titan in his legal profession", "he died a hero".

While alive, people disagreed with him, in some instances, which is normal and natural. However, it is naturally sad to note how some leaders use their positions to inflict pains on such individuals, understanding fully well that the individual is right. I once disagreed with him when he stated that he would make Nigeria ungovernable during Obasanjo's administration. Definitely he might have been pushed to the limits. Such happens in ones life to slip off the track.

Gani was tortured several times for speaking for the common Nigerians. He was mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially abused. I bet they might have wanted to try religion to torture him, but he excelled.

Nigerians are celebrating the life of Friday Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi.

Even Baba Iyabo would agree, against all odds, as a detribalized Nigerian as well, that Gani was

"an icon in his own right and a social critic who had the courage of his conviction. Although many people did not agree with him, they respected him; and whether right or wrong, Gani believed in his own conviction and was genuine."

Baba Iyabo, the only Balogun of Owu, the promoter of pounded yam of Egunsi Soup and Bush Meat, you speak well.

Some Nigeria leaders would be able to sleep right with their eyes closed now that the man on their throat is gone. Don't get too comfortable with that as Gani's spirit fights on. According to him before he passed on, he would continue to fight in his grave. True to his words, as applauded by most Nigerians, his spirit will continue to hound for the regionalized Nigerian leaders, using religion as yardstick to give people their rights; and those who specialized in what goes into their pockets rather than what would make life better for the common man on the street.

Can the NLC influence Medical Professionals, and ASUU to put human face on their demands by sentencing strike to death as a sign of respect for Gani. The masses are the ones suffering from strikes, not the government. They should devise another method in approaching their demands, if they have conscience. Could the most militant branch of the Medical professionals, the Resident Doctors, adapt Gani's style of protest? 'No Strike', as part of human face in their requests and demands.

General President Babangida could go ahead and contest for 2011. The fear of Gani stopping him could be assumed to be over. Na lie Sir. Millions of Ganis are awaiting his announcement to contest in 2010 as Nigeria president. Saraki could still be better off than IBB if that is what the Northerners are planning for, to replace the snail in Aso Rock. Gani's spirit is right across his bedroom.

What a bold move by Ribadu, to have risked many things to visit Gani's House and the mortuary to pay his last respect to an icon. I could hear the spirit of Gani telling Ribadu, ride on son. God is with you. Fight on because the battle has just begun. You will conquer. I am with you for ever. Clear your conscience, fear no one, except God, and you will always succeed. The fight for the emancipation of human beings from the bondage of the oppressors that call themselves Nigeria leaders will soon be over. You have done well my son.

Nuhu Ribadu's presence at Gani's home and mortuary is a testimony the people Gani has touched. For someone, the authorities were working on, to be extradited to Nigeria for fighting for Nigeria is a good thing and what we call the quality life. I never doubt Ribadu's courage, the man Nigeria never appreciated for his good work in sanitizing Nigeria, bailed Nigeria out of the black book. He is one of the intrepid Nigerians around. That's Gani's product. Really Gani's life is "…a man who showed great example in sacrifice and selflessness."

By the way, for Nuhu Ribadu to have sneaked into Nigeria and no one noticed his passage through Immigration, Customs, is s security blunt. Wow! What a Security outfit we have at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

What a fulfilling life for Gani for a blind beggar, Mr. Sakari Hassan, who led ten others to condole with the Fawehinmi's family. He said "we came to condole with family and friends of Gani. For us, it was great loss."

What a heaven on earth for Gani!

Unbelievably Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida rated Gani as the only dedicated Nigerian. Most Nigerians would be glad Babangida did not see himself as the best Nigeria leader at this time. Unfortunately General Buhari stated that Gani should be given a posthumous national award since he cannot refuse it now. According to Buhari, "I hope the Federal Government will honour him with a post-humour him with a post-humous award. He will be in no position to decline".

The silliest statement I ever heard from someone of his level. If anyone rejected something in his life time, how does he think he would accept that in death? This is different from someone that never knew that such award would be given to him or her while alive.

In his last interview before his death, Gani narrated causes of his lung cancer: He was of the opinion that his detention experiences might have been responsible for his lung cancer. Gani believed that the detention or poisons by the military dictatorial regimes especially that of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha might have caused his lung cancer that took his life. According to him, "Those two regimes detained me horribly. The type of treatments meted to my body in those detentions could probably have contributed to this".

Even though cures for cancer related diseases are still challenges to the Medical professionals, which they ought to be researching in Nigeria. Disappointedly Medical Professionals resolved into endless strikes that could possibly aggravate any illness for lack of proper and adequate diagnosis, which is absent in Nigeria. Ondo State Governor, Mimiko, a Medical Doctor, is going to establish a diagnostic center in Ondo. He blamed Nigerian Medical Doctors for wrong diagnosis of Gani's illness, which caused his early death.

The Trauma and Diagnostic Center at Olabisi Onabanjo University Hospital will be the best around for earlier diagnosis of some illnesses. That is part of Gani's dream for Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, when he visited him on his sick bed before he succumbed to death.

If we sought for the most hated regime in Nigeria, it would be that of Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Babangida has described the death of Chief Gani Fawehinmi as a great loss to the country pointing out that "we have lost one of our boldest, most fearless and best Nigerian" he has great respect for and adding: "if I have my way, I will immortalize him".

Babangida would have immortalized Gani for the atrocities he suffered in the hands of some Nigerian leaders. According to Gani, he was subjected to all traumatic travails and persecutions including:

"(a) Series of detentions in several prisons across Nigeria, notably Ikoyi Prison (three times), Kaduna Prison, Gombe Prison, Gasua Prison, Kuje Prison (two times), Bauchi Prison, etc, etc; (b) Twenty three police detentions between 1969 and 1998 at Police Headquarters, Kaduna, Jos Police Station, Ilorin Police Station, Police Headquarters. Lagos, C.I.D., Alagbon, Lagos,' Inter-Centre Detention Outpost, Lagos, Ikoyi Police Station, Panti Police Station, Lagos, Police Station, Wuse, Abuja, Police Station, Ikeja, Police Headquarters, Abuja, etc.; (c) 'Arrested 32 times between 1969 and 1998 which led to the series of detentions and trials; (d) My chambers (Gani Fawehinmi Chambers) at Anthony Village, Lagos was, attacked- by security men under, various governments 16 times, culminating in the attack on Friday, August 26, 1994 when security men under Gen. Sani Abacha regime at4am turned my Chambers into a pool of blood; (e) Thousands of copies of my books, notably on the murder of Dele Giwa, were forcibly removed and seized by security agents under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime and despite court orders to return my books, the military government at that time refused to obey the court orders; (f) My international passport was seized more than 15 times between 1966 and 1998; (g) I was charged to court 18 times for politically-motivated criminal offences including treason and I was jailed once and became prisoner J60 before my imprisonment was terminated by the Court of Appeal."

What Babangida has to say to all these.

"The problem of Nigeria is that from people like me, who have ruled the country to the average citizen, have exhibited lousiness in all aspect which has negative impacted on the growth and development of the country".

Babangida is of the opinion that

"If there is one man I respect, it is Gani, it sounds strange… I was a consistent evil and he was ... a dogged fighter and I respect him for this. … He was not a customary soldier, but a civilian soldier, a legal luminary and courageous Nigerian who was driven by his passions, convictions and beliefs…I am pained that we have lost such a legal icon, social crusader and human rights advocate at a time when Nigeria is trying to reform her electoral system…We have lost one of our boldest, most fearless and best Nigerian and if I have my way, I will immortalize him because I have greet respect for him".

Oh my goodness, coming from the man who could not sleep when Gani's name is mentioned. The man who fled Ondo, even as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, an Army General, after saluting the statute of late Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun, just for fear of Gani. Ironically Babangida could not take his criticism with human face and tortured him like a mad dog. Someone echoed, "These gentlemen should therefore save their crocodile tears!"

Regardless what likes Babangida would say, Gani has vowed that he would fight on, even in his grave. Believe it or not Gani would fight on. According to Ganiyat Fawehinmi, who was at his Hospital bedside when he gave up the ghost

"he had no regret in doing what he did and said if he comes back to this world and there is still corruption or injustice, he would continue to fight. He also said that he will continue to fight in his grave if he has no opportunity to come back."

Gani won numerous national and international awards, honored by many clubs and associations. He was the only one in Nigeria that was awarded Senior Advocate of Masses as against Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in 1993. Gani won the Bruno Kreisky Prize for human-rights advocacy. He was the first Black African to be awarded the Bernard Simons Memorial Award of the International Bar Association (IBA), in 1998, three years after it was established in honor of late London Solicitor, Bernard Simons,

"to reward outstanding achievements in a criminal law practice which promote, protect and advance human rights, especially the right to live in a fair and just society under the rule of law".

Gani practised law, wrote law, and published law. He has given law a human face. According to some reports,

"Fawehinmi Chambers has over 290,000 law and law-related books on various subjects, with the staff strength of about 201, 19 out of the total number as practising lawyers out of which only 3 are of Ondo origin. In addition, between 1965 and the year 2005, the Chambers has handled about 5700 briefs",

On his payroll are over 1,000 Nigerians, earning between N30, 000.00 and N1000, 000.00. Gani handled more than 5,000 cases free of charge. His N600m office complex with high standard library is still under construction. He fought alongside the Nigerian Labor Unions, without strike action. Gani lived 71 year of good life worthy of emulation.

He offered scholarships to the northerners more than the Northern leaders. He hammered on the northern leaders and still made some charitable contributions to the northerners telling their leaders what they needed to do with their wealth. Regardless how they got their wealth, ill-gotten, clean-gotten, bank loan seed, or currency exchange business. Those did not stop Gani in his humanitarian work for the poor.

Sometimes in 2000, Gani challenged the filthy rich Northerners to sponsor not too privileged northerners for the western education. At that time Gani awarded scholarship to 25 indigent students from the north. This year alone, 2009, about 40 Nigerian Students benefited from Gani's annual scholarship program, at the event that took place on Thursday, February 26, 2009.

Ironically, in 2009 Boko Haram presumed everything western as anti-Islamic, including Education. Surprisingly, Gani was a devout Muslim who associated with the poor. Nigerians are confused what Sanusi of the Central Bank policy is going to do with Islamic Banking system?

While Gani's message to likes Babangida, according to Ganiyat Fawehinmi,

"He told me to tell Nigerians not to give up the struggle until Nigeria is better and continue where he stopped. He also gave some words to lawyers in his chambers urging them to carry on the struggle for him against injustice, oppression of the masses and the less privileged. … urged the present governments at all levels to as a matter of must to improve the lives of the less privileged in the society adding that his heart bled for the country."

Coincidentally Babangida, the dribbler tooth-gabbed Maradona, cornered how I was going to describe late Chief Gani Fawehinmi:

"here lies the remains of Gani Fawehinmi, a devout Muslim, a fighter, people's combatant, civilian soldier, social crusader, human rights activist, consummate legal icon, politician, and compassionate family man whose love for mankind defined his journey of life. There is no one that can fit into the big shoes of this impresario whether now or in the near future. May his gentle soul find solace in the hereafter. May Allah grant him paradise, amin. Adieu, GANI THE LAW."

Gani's heaven have been Aremo Taiwo Alimi, Chairman, GTV, Ogun State, message to Nigerian leaders. He advised some Nigeria leaders to stop shedding crocodile tears over the death of Gani. The only tribute every Nigerians should pay to Gani is for Nigeria leaders to emulate his life in its entire ramification. That will uplift Nigerians who are yearning for better life.

Gani never allowed the iron hands of Nigerian leaders stopped him from helping the poor masses. Gani is going to be missed in this country. What every compulsive leader in Nigeria should do is to search their conscience, if they have one, and uplift their fellow human beings.

Friday Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi Sleep On!