well, i think most times some of the things we say becomes a result of our weakness at controlling our emotions. true, Gani was a great defender of peace, but is he really worth the Nobel Peace Prize?

Gani long overdue for Nobel Peace Prize
By VINCENT UKPONG KALU
Saturday, September 12, 2009
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Nigerians from all walks of life are unanimous that the late legal icon and human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, was long over due for Nobel Peace Price award.

Speaking from across the country, they said that Gani did things that should have earned him the Nobel Peace Prize even before his death. They made case for a post-humous award.

President of West African Bar Association, Chief Femi Falana, said that Gani merits the coveted award. According to him, “Gani was a man who used the law and the machinery of the legal system to fight injustice, corruption and abuse of office for over 40 years. When he was conferred with the Bernard Simeon Award for Human rights in 1998, he was acknowledged a leading advocate for human rights under the rule of law. In spite of his anger against the system, he never, for one moment, resorted to violence to address his grievance.

“Prof. Chibuzor Nwoke of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs and Prof Bolaji Akinyemi suggested something like that and I equally agreed with him. This man was the greatest humanist Nigeria ever produced; a man of the people, who devoted and sacrificed his life for the struggle of the people. It is believed that his health problem and subsequent death was linked to his years of incarceration with the military. He is virtually qualified for that and I think before we begin to wait for the Europeans to think towards that, Nigeria and Africa should give him that prize away.”

Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Abia State, Chief Umeh Kalu, remarked that if the criterion for Nobel Peace Prize was by seeking positive change in the society through non-violent means, Gani deserves the award.

He said: “Gani, all through his adult life, sought and fought for change through the instrument of the law, which is non-violent. His life epitomized the struggle. He gave so much and sacrificed so much for the generality of the country and for the good of the common man.”

Constitutional lawyer, Fred Agbaje, posited that Gani deserves the Nobel Peace Prize award having regard to his humanitarian services. He said that part from Gani’s contributions to the legal community, “he was also the advocates of the down trodden. With these qualifications I think he deserves the award.”
Dr. Bisi Abiola, wife of late Chief M.K.O.Abiola, is surprised that the award has not been given to Gani. According to her, Gani’s contributions to the country and indeed, Africa stood him out and were supposed to have won him the award while alive. She noted that countries prop up their people for the award, regretting that Nigeria would not deem this necessary.
Chief Azubuike Obiekwe, a legal practitioner, opined that more than any person living or dead, Gani deserves Nobel Peace prize award.

According to him, Gani “contributed greatly to the democratic revolution of the Nigeria democratic state. In the development of the Nigerian law, nobody equaled his contributions. He pursued his conviction without undue antagonism and so I agreed with anybody calling for the award of Nobel Peace Prize.”
Hon. Dele Kosoko, a former member of the House of Representatives, said the country should appreciate greatly Gani’s contributions and first of all immortalize him.

“He merits and should get Nobel peace prize award,” he said.
Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate in Imo State, in 2007 gubernatorial election and lawyer, Chief George Opara, has said that except a few people in Africa, like Mandela, “Gani was perhaps the greatest fighter for human rights. He sure deserves Nobel Prize.”

According to Eke Uche Onu, a consumer right protection lawyer, “Gani is over-qualified for Nobel peace prize because he had all the attributes and nuances, namely, positive contribution to the development of the society, secondly, advancement of Nigeria legal system and literary and scientific development in law reporting in our legal jurisprudence. He was a social crusader for equal, just and egalitarian society. He was a philanthropist and an all trust per excellence and above all a defender of the poor, defenceless, vulnerable and voiceless masses.”

A community leader, Engr. Ndukwe Ikoh, was unequivocal in saying that Gani deserves a Nobel Prize. This, he said, is “because he represented the conscience of the most backward nation on earth. In a country with treacherous leadership, he risked his life and comfort and stood fighting for injustice, equity and fairness for all and also for socio-political development. This is in a country, where these virtues and qualities are in short supply. His like are very rare in the world.”

Bosun Oladimeji, former Special Assistant to the former Attorney General of Ondo State, noted that Gani deserves the award, “having dedicated his life, time searching, defending, protecting and promoting peace, equity and justice between the oppressed and suppressor. Out of many Nigerians activists, dead or alive, Gani was exceptional. He never got foreign funds/aids to prosecute his humanitarian gestures. He was in a class of his own, distinct, rare, courageous and daring.”

A lawyer, Ben Sweet, opined that Gani qualifies for the award if extreme selfless sacrifice, transparency and incorruptibility were fundamental in judging a person for the Nobel Peace Prize.
“There is nobody better qualified for the award than Gani. He was a justice martyr, primus interpares in the ranks of human rights crusaders, notable philanthropist, very sincere humanist regardless of colour, race or creed. He summoned his spectacular intellect, personal resources and spent the best part of his life trying to guarantee an egalitarian society for his people. Besides, he revolutionized law practice in this country by giving it proper focus in the fight for justice and equity,” he said.
President, Crime Victims Foundation, Gloria Egbuji, also noted that Gani deserves the award. According to her, the late lawyer fought consistently for the common man till death. Beside this, he contributed to the development of law and jurisprudence in Nigeria.

“He deserves to be so honoured,” he said.
All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANNP) senatorial candidate in Abia State, in 2003, Rev. Williams Agbai, acknowledged Gani’s contributions to Nigeria but said he does not merit Nobel Peace Prize award. According to him, “Gani had a sector of human rights he advocated and fought for and these are just appreciated but not for the award of Nobel peace prize award.”
Hon Obuba Kalu also joined other Nigerians who made case for Nobel peace Prize in honour of Gani. According to him, Gani was a born human rights lawyer who stopped at nothing in making sure the oppressed got judgment. He said, “Gani believed in constitutionalism and the unity and peace of the country as well as the citizens of the country.”

Chaplain Ify Epunam, CEO, Sweet Home Africa Humanitarian Foundation, said that the good works of Gani would speak for him forever. According to him, the legal icon deserves the award for standing on the side of the masses to fight against the wickedness of evil leadership.”
“He inspired our organization positively towards charity and helping the down trodden. He was a blessing to mankind and humanity,” he said

One thing i know about Naija is that we become so overtly passionate about Good Nigerians that have passed on and we can even demand more than the Nobel Prize for them.

Gani was a great Nigerian. But dont let us ridicule him by calling for a Nobel Peace Prize for him.

Can you mention the Peace deal(s) he brokered successfully in the past ?. He fought against Government Oppression but that didnt bring peace to Nigeria, part of Nigeria or to an ethnic group(s). He was a Freedom Fighter like Ken Saro Wiwa.


Let him rest, he doesnt need the Nobel Prize.

methinks so, too. i think he is currently getting the best Prize he could -- our collective praises and tears . . .

Gani would win it if he can get nominated. it his record. there are not many people in the world that have gone to jail the number of time for fightling for human right. I dont think anyone knows the number of time he went to jail for fighting for others. Gani happen to be my family. my grandfather immediate younger sister was Gani step mother.

babaearly:

One thing i know about Naija is that we become so overtly passionate about Good Nigerians that have passed on and we can even demand more than the Nobel Prize for them.

Gani was a great Nigerian. But dont let us ridicule him by calling for a Nobel Peace Prize for him.

Can you mention the Peace deal(s) he brokered successfully in the past ?. He fought against Government Oppression but that didnt bring peace to Nigeria, part of Nigeria or to an ethnic group(s). He was a Freedom Fighter like Ken Saro Wiwa.


Let him rest, he doesnt need the Nobel Prize.

I totally agree with this. Let him rest and stop talking bout noble peace price.

Did Gani ever mention that he even wanted one? Nigerians and search for international GLORY, na wa oo!!! That article is not out of love for the man but just to start some ridiculous issue. All through his life, did the same stand by him and fight with him?

He deserves anything. We must first know the criteria in giving nobel peace prize

Tank God for this day, nt many have leaved a life full of appriciation like my Admirable fellow Gani. F. the (SAM), he needs no recognition by man , heaven has immortalized his name. the question NW is, what are our effort to see that the struggle continues? if we rely love him lets fight his cause even at demise. fellow die hearted Nigerian who believes in the struggle of a better Nigeria, lets keep the Spirit of our great man wit us be continuing the cause he so much believe in, Death is an unforbidable event, while not die fighting a good cause than die as a coward.

Gani fawehinmi's long overdue for the nobel peace prize same way he was for the confernment of SAN on him,he contributed in time,security to better the condition of the poor,oppressed.his longing for justice and fairness is a prerequisite for the prize

Nobel price na beans? abeg forget story.

Gani tried but he sure does not come near the mark for Nobel price.

Nah, dont think so.

.

gani fought for the kind of human rights of the people that the west is not really concerned about, so, they didnt take notice of him- i bet both the myanmar and iranian ladies that won it (on the ground of fighting for human rights ) didnt do as much as gani, but here we go again, the west takes interest in myanmmar and iran, so, they will award anything to anybody that fights the govt there.

Why didn't the supporters of the conferral of a nobel peace prize on Gani fight when he was alive? Enough of this campaign after the death of the aspirant. It is time to aggregate this energy into continuing the fight he started.

Nobel price na beans? abeg forget story.

Gani tried but he sure does not come near the mark for Nobel price.





hey can u tell us the criteria?

Gani, the great activist is certainly to be immortalized. He could have become president if he went to politics but chose to be humble. As regards Nobel Prize, he is too popular among the humble, neglected and dejected who have been denied justce. I guess he did not want to have it. A mere award does not speak much but there is more to it in the hearts of men. He touched the hearts of men and would be forever missed.

Then y are u authoritatively saying he doesn't come near it? U don't just talk. I am not saying it a must that they honor him with the nobel peace price but that does not at the same time means he doesn't merit it. The most important thing is that let us all leave to make a good mark. He has don he's and gone. Death is very CERTAIN bro.

@mystikal Simply, No

Then y are u authoritatively saying he doesn't come near it? U don't just talk. I am not saying it a must that they honor him with the nobel peace price but that does not at the same time means he doesn't merit it. The most important thing is that let us all leave to make a good mark. He has don he's and gone. Death is very CERTAIN bro.

quite agree with u slimes. Gani is such a very great man

slimes:

Gani, the great activist is certainly to be immortalized. He could have become president if he went to politics but chose to be humble. As regards Nobel Prize, he is too popular among the humble, neglected and dejected who have been denied justce. I guess he did not want to have it. A mere award does not speak much but there is more to it in the hearts of men. He touched the hearts of men and would be forever missed.

quite agree with u slimes. Gani is a big loss to humanity, a unique and great man God created because of the masses. Everybody (friends and enemies) will miss him forever.

peace price for what

gani is a dogged legal luminary! he neva made peace with political dogs and political sycophants! giving a peace award is a deviation and nonsensical!!!!!!!!!!!!!

deedav:

gani is a dogged legal luminary! he neva made peace with political dogs and political sycophants! giving a peace award is a deviation and nonsensical!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is your own opinion man. Your own criteria for geting nobel peace award is to make peace with political dogs and sycophants, That is serious.

you guys are wicked during the election that Gani contested how many of you voted for him.Nw the poor man is dead and you are all eulogizing him.Eburu gani

ashaju:

you guys are wicked[b] [size=100pt]during the election that Gani contested how many of you voted for him[/size].[/b]Nw the poor man is dead and you are all eulogizing him.Eburu gani

Votes don't win elections in Nigeria,selection iis what gets you anywhere.

while i also agree gani qualifies for a nobel peace prize"on paper"in the real sense of it,his main appeal doesnt transcend nigeria,maybe west africa,the nobel selection has political undertones hence as to appeal to a broad spectrum,how many north africans know who gani is or how many americans e.t.c
however him not getting a nobel peace prize does not diminish his works and achievements and sacrifices one bit,and i belief that is the way most of us will remember him

GODSON2009:

has political undertones hence as to appeal to a broad spectrum,how many north africans know who gani is or how many americans e.t.c

The nobel peace prize is not given using popularity as criteria, anyway you werte right when you pointed out the political aspect.

Gani never desired for one; Same way Nigerians contributed money for Obama.

Post-humus Gani Fawehinmi syciphants have sprung up! Can these people pick on fight Gani was involved in and never finished and help him finish it already. All these people where in exile hiding their heads while said man was shouting about dele giwa up and down o. They were in exile while babangida locked him up a few times o. Now he has passed and they are all on his bandwagon. Some even claimed to be in his inner circle (bob dee) yet they were never heard saying anything or seen with his shadow.

@ must_a_far. It appears u r Gani's 2nd in command. 4giv our initial reluctance. Now, if u will be my Gani, I will be ur 2nd in command.