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The Great Gani Fawehinmi: His Life, His Legacies & His Frustrations

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By Eric Elezuo

If the late sage and legal luminary, Chief Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, had been alive, he would have been celebrating his 80th birthday. Of course, he would have been at the forefront of battling the scourge of government failure that has plagued Nigeria for decades.

The man, who came to be known simply as Gani was born on April 22, 1938 at his family home in Okedasa Street, Ondo Town. He was the only male child out of  six children of his mother. His parentage was of absolute royalty as his father, late Chief Saheed Tugbobo Fawehinmi, a successful Timber merchant,Philanthropist, Seriki Musulumi of Ondo, was one of the famous sons of Late High Chief Lisa Alujannu Fawehinmi of Ondo Kingdom. His mother, Alhaja Muniratu Fawehinmi, on the other hand, was the Iya Olori Egbe Adinni of Ondo Central Mosque, and was the daughter of late Chief Yesufu & Madam Rabiatu Akinnibosun.

An author, publisher, legal icon, human rights and social critics of repute, Gani was the acclaimed Senior Advocate of the Masses and philanthropist.

He started his early education in 1947 at the Ansar-ud-deen Primary School, Yemoja in Ondo, and obtained his first certificate in 1953. He proceeded to Victory College, Ikare-Ekiti in 1954 and graduated in 1958 before attending the Holborn College of Law, University of London from 1961 to 1964 as an external student.

While a college student, Gani developed passionate interest in national, legal and political matters, prompting his mates to nickname him “Nation”. He was also an avid reader of books and journals, was known to love readingDaily Times and the then West African Pilot, which were the most popular newspapers in Nigeria at the time. He then worked briefly as a law clerk in the High Court of Lagos until 1961.

A dark era occurred in Gani’s life when he lost his father while still in the university. Though he encountered a bit of financial difficulty, he managed to complete his course. He was involved in various menial jobs in London, and there developed the spirit of resilience and survival. He even took up a full time job as a toilet cleaner at Russell Square Hotel in Southampton Row, London. 

Gani’s radical approach to life came to the fore while he was in London. It was there that he got acquainted with books of revolutionary or radical figures such as Fidel Castro, Winston Churchill, David Ben-Gurion, Gandhi, Mao Tse Tsung and Karl Marx and the likes. In 1964, he returned to Nigeria and was called to the bar the following year (1965).

He started his career with a stint at his brother, Hon Justice Rasheed Fawehinmi’s law firm, before establishing his own Law Practice, Gani Fawenmi & Co in Lagos. Gani Fawehinmi became a holder of the highest national legal title in September 2001 as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Always standing for the downtrodden, Gani gained wide prominence in the legal world and beyond when he took up the case of a factory worker, Bala Abashe who alleged that the Secretary to the Government of the then Benue-Plateau State, Andrew Obeya, had an affair with his wife. He stood for Abashe on pro bono  (free), refusing all entreaties to drop the case, and at the end of the day, the legal process forced Obeya to resign.  However, Fawehinmi was detained for nine months. The publicity of the case catapulted him to the level of total exposure and prominence.

“He was a scourge of oppressive governments and hard zero tolerance for human rights abuse”

Gani continued to grow in leaps and bounds in the legal profession, and by 1971, he was made the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association. He served till 1973. His rising profile was not without a backlog – in 1981, he was queried by a disciplinary committee and told to explain himself within fourteen days why he was touting himself through advertisements in a weekly publication contrary to the ethics of the bar.

In the case, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) v. Chief Gani Fawehinmi (1985) the Supreme Court upheld the Appeal Court judgment rendering the LPDC’s proceedings against Chief Fawehinmi ineffective on the basis that the constitution of the LPDC with the Attorney-General as Chairman made him accuser, prosecutor and judge at the same time which breached the principles of natural justice and therefore Chief Fawehinmi’s right to fair hearing. The judgment led to an amendment of the Legal Practitioners’ Act 1975.

Though he won that one, he was soon to run afoul of an NBA directive in 1984, when the NBA under the presidency of Bola Ajibola directed its members not to represent any client in a military tribunal. Fawehinmi flouted the directive because he believed the accused should be always have a right to fair hearing. As a result, his name was placed in NBA’s dishonour roll. He saw as this as a price he had to pay to keep his dreams alive.

In addition, he is a staunch believer in social justice, and with his boundless energy, he tenaciously and uncompromisingly pursued his beliefs, principles and ideals for the rule of law, undiluted democracy, social justice, protection of fundamental human rights and respect for the hopes and aspirations of the masses who he believed are victims of government’s recklessness.

He was not only dishing out lip service for the downtrodden, he followed it up with the institution of a scholarships and welfare activities. In 1971, he established Scholarships Award and awarded scholarships from then till his death on Saturday September 5, 2009. It is no wonder therefore that he was awarded the Senior Advocate of Masses Obafemi Awolowo University  in 1988. Among other of his awards are the Biennial Bruno Kreisky Prize in 1993, International Bar Association’s Bernard Simmons Award in 1994 and American Bar Association Award 1996.

Arrest and Detention

As a result of his human and civil right crusade, Gani was at various times arrested – 40 times in all, detained, had his passport seized by security agencies on seven different occasions and had his books confiscated. He was also on several occasions charged to court from between 1969 and 1996 under the then Federal Military Government Regimes. He was deported from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State to Lagos State within the Federal Republic of Nigeria soil by the then Abacha’s Regime on August 26, 1995, the first of its kind. He was a scourge of oppressive governments and hard zero tolerance for human rights abuse.

In the course of the many persecutions he suffered, his library at Surulere was set ablaze. His law Chambers at Anthony Village, was invaded by persons suspected to be agents of the government with many of his staff wounded in the aftermath.

Having seen the inside of almost all the notorious cells in the country, his supporters referred to him as “the scourge of irresponsible governments, the veritable conscience of the nation and the champion of the interests and causes of the masses”. He was also called in many quarters the people’s president

Party Politics

It is said that when good men keep quiet, the evil men are enthroned, and evil thrives. Consequently, Gani found it absolutely necessary to delve into politics to help correct the anomalies of the successive governments.

In 2002, with some other notable Nigerians, he formed the National Conscience Party of Nigeria  (NCP) which is still in existence today, and contested the presidential election in 2003 under its umbrella.

Until his death, he was the Seriki Musulumi of Ondo Kingdom, married and blessed with two wives and 14 children.

Gani, who has the most voluminous biography of over 4,300 pages, reportedly dedicated his whole life to the defence of human rights and condemnation of all ill-fated government policies. He also fought the military junta to a standstill. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2001 after years of denial.

One of the most interesting aspect if Gani was his no holds barred attitude when it comes to speaking the truth. In sympathizing with former President Obasanjo on the death of his wife and Bellview plane crash both in 2005, he turned around and lambasted the President for his government of ineptitude, especially as it relates to Nigeria’s health system. A part of his condolence message read:

“The events of Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd October, 2005 which have thrown the country into mourning should never be allowed to repeat themselves. We do not want another plane crash and if you bring in another wife before you constitutionally quit office on 29th May 2007, please do not allow her to go for a cosmetic surgery for beautification again. We cannot afford another death of the President’s wife in Aso Rock.”

Below are some of his memorable quotes:

On the disappearance of Charles Taylor

“The disappearance of Charles Taylor from Nigerian soil is a humiliating disgrace to Nigeria. Obasanjo must explain why this happened.” 

“There is nothing new in the speech. It is the same old wine in new bottles. It’s a disappointing statement. In fact it is a disastrous speech.” 

“I’m not surprised at this result, I’m saddened, not surprised. This government will do anything to keep its power by deceiving the people.” 

 “This is incredible. This is fantastic. This gives us hope that something good will begin to happen soon.” 

In 2008, against all expectation, Gani rejected the Order of the Federal Republic honours; the highest national honour that could be bestowed on a private citizen, in protest of years of misrule. Chinua Achebe was another Nigerian who rejected national honours.

He died in the early hours of September 5, 2009 after a prolonged battle with lung cancer at the age of 71 years old, and was buried on September 15, 2009 in his home town, Ondo.

It will not be out of place to say that Gani Fawehinmi died a disappointed man, because the dream country he constantly clamoured and fought for was never achieved at the time of his death.

LETS SALUTE A GREAT MAN,WHO CAME, SAW AND LEFT HIS FOOTPRINTS ON SANDS OF TIME

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Meet Muhammad Ashfaq Hussain, CEO at Profound Realtors

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By Eric Elezuo

It takes hard work to work harder. It takes achievement to attract more achievements. And so, at Profound Realtors, hard work and achievements have remained the other of the day, creating leverage for more affordable housings clients in and out of Dubai, and unleashing comfort and peace of mind never experienced anywhere else.

The success of Profound Realtors, the credit it has enjoyed across the world, and the goodies it still have in store for as many that are making up their minds to transact concluding businesses of homes and lands with the company, is attributed to a dedicated team of workers, led by the ever trustworthy Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Ashfaq Hussain, a seasoned real estate personal with experience spanning years.

Mr Hussain is a handful when it comes to service delivery, customer satisfaction and accountability. His human face to every transaction has placed Profound on the great map of trust, honesty, affordability, reliability and comfort.

One just need to purchase from Profound to prove the grace of service delivery.

Ashfaq Hussain is further presented as a colossus in putting smiles on the faces of clients and every other person he comes in contact with in the entrepreneurial journey.

His biodata is presented as follows:

With over 20 years of experience in Dubai’s dynamic real estate market, Mr. Ashfaq Hussain is a seasoned professional who has witnessed the evolution of the industry from its early leasing days to the launch of freehold properties in 2004. Hailing from a humble background in Pakistan, Ashfaq moved to Dubai with a dream and a determination to succeed—and through hard work and unwavering dedication, he has turned that dream into reality.

Ashfaq’s expertise and passion for real estate have earned him a reputation as one of Dubai’s most trusted realtors. His exceptional track record includes brokering high-value transactions of villas and luxury mansions on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, catering to investors and celebrities from around the globe.

Currently, Ashfaq manages one of the largest celebrity property portfolios in Dubai, and his name is synonymous with excellence in the industry. He is well-regarded by leading developers such as Emaar, Nakheel, Damac, and Dubai Properties.

As the founder of Profound Realtors, Ashfaq now leads a team of experienced real estate professionals, providing top-notch services in luxury property sales, leasing, and investment consultancy. His deep knowledge of the market and dedication to client success continue to make him a respected figure in Dubai’s real estate landscape.

Profound is the name when it comes to affordable houses in Dubai. 

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Ghana’s Inna Mariam Patty Called to the Bar of England & Wales with Distinction

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Distinguished Ghanaian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Inna Mariam Patty, was officially called to the Bar of England and Wales at Lincoln’s Inn on November 25, 2025, graduating with Distinction from the University of Law.

In an extraordinary show of support, guests travelled from Ghana, Dubai, Uganda, South Africa, the United States of America and across the United Kingdom to celebrate this landmark achievement at both the Call ceremony and the private dinner celebration held afterwards.

Among the high-profile attendees were Miss Patty’s parents, Ambassador Youssif Patty and Mrs. Jameelah Patty, and her siblings, as well as: H.E. Mrs. Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, and Mr. Bobby Benson.

Others were Mr. Kwabena Osei-Danquah, Chief of Staff, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, Ms. Eileen Baguma, HR & Corporate Affairs Director, EACOP Uganda; Ms. Pihillipa Pepera, CEO of Pippas Health Centre, Accra; Mrs. Vangie Mari Patty, Regional Engineering Manager, Puma Energy; General Manager, EIB Network; and Founder & President, Women in Sustainability Africa.

The dignitaries joined family, friends, and colleagues who travelled internationally to honour Miss Patty’s distinguished academic achievement and her transition into the legal profession.

Speaking after the ceremony, Patty remarked: “This milestone is a continuation of my purpose—to use law as a tool for empowerment, justice, and social impact, especially for women and vulnerable communities.”

Patty is widely celebrated for her leadership as CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana Ltd and Chairwoman of the Miss Ghana Foundation, through which she has driven initiatives in education, healthcare, and community development. She also serves as a Board Member of FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital.

Her exceptional career has earned her recognitions including:

Overall African Woman Achiever (CSR Consultant), African Women Awards 2023
Top 50 Young CEOs in Ghana (Avance Media, 2023)
International Arch of Europe Award (2017)

Patty’s call to the Bar marks a powerful blend of entrepreneurial excellence, philanthropy, and legal advocacy—positioning her as a rising legal voice and social impact leader for Ghana and beyond.

ABOUT INNA MARIAM PATTY 

Inna Mariam Patty is a Ghanaian business executive, lawyer, and philanthropist. She is CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana Limited, Chairwoman of the Miss Ghana Foundation, and a Board Member of FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital. Patty holds an MSc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics, as well as a GDL and BPC with Distinction from the University of Law.

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TEDx Ikoyi: Say Yes Now! Why Readiness is a Myth by Bella Disu

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I was 38 when I finally met my whole self. Bella Disu — the change maker, the creative, the lifelong learner, the woman unafraid to keep evolving.

It’s interesting though, I didn’t meet her in a moment of perfect readiness. I met her after I got tired of constantly walking within the same walls. Today, I’d like to share the story of how I stopped waiting, what it taught me about why we hesitate, and what happens when we finally say yes. 

A while ago, I decided to try something new. Not in business, but in my years-long fitness journey. At one point, I weighed 110 kilos. At another, 64. By my mid-30s, I had found a rhythm: 160 grams of protein a day, strength training four times a week, 10,000 steps daily. Slight work, right? I had three walking pads — one in my bedroom, one in my study, one in the office. Don’t ask. I’ve never been one for small measures.

But it worked. Of course it did. Until one day, I realized this is my life — walking in place and staring at the same walls. So, I thought maybe it’s time to move differently. Maybe I should learn tennis.

Yet, as soon as the thought came into my mind, I hesitated. I asked myself, “Should I do it? Should I wait? Wasn’t it too technical, too hard, too late?” After all, who starts tennis at 38?

Despite not feeling quite ready, I found a coach, showed up on the court, and soon I was playing tennis three, sometimes four times a week. And then, to my horror, I discovered that tennis doesn’t even give you that many steps. All those side-to-side moves don’t count. But by then, it wasn’t about steps anymore. I was hooked. And now I am often amazed at the physical and mental growth that has since happened all because of one small decision. I’d asked myself, “Should I do it? Should I wait?” And something in me answered, “Say yes now.”
But I’ve thought about why I hesitated in the first place. And it’s that for years I thought I had to wait for the right moment, for more qualifications, for a different version of myself. Psychologists call it destination addiction — the belief that happiness lives at the next milestone. So, a certain weight, title, or degree.

And I know I’m not alone. How many of you have asked yourselves: “Should I do it? Should I wait? What if I fail?” We all know that familiar voice that whispers, “Not yet.” So, if the antidote is that simple — say yes now — why don’t we all do it?

We don’t because hesitation is a conundrum. It wears the mask of readiness. And I used to mistake readiness for a finish line. Then in 2014, I met a coach I had invited to facilitate an HR session. And after the session, he said, “So tell me about Bella.”

I froze. I really did. I could talk about my work, my father’s mentorship, even my wedding — which is probably my biggest claim to fame at the time. But about me, I… I really didn’t have much to say. So, I was thankful when he offered me a complimentary session and said, “Let’s talk to Bella from 10 years ago. What would you tell her? And 10 years ahead — who is she?”

 

To be honest, that future Bella was hazy. But his questions drew out interests and passions I once buried. So he then said, “What’s stopping you from going after them? You can be many things at once.”

So I said a mental yes to his words — and it opened doors to pursuing diverse interests: a first master’s, later an MBA, writing and publishing my first children’s book, impacting lives through the Bella Disu Foundation, and gaining the courage to walk into rooms that once intimidated me.
You see, each step reinforced something critical: readiness is not a destination — it’s a posture. And we become ready by doing.

Today, I’m no longer a woman hesitating in life or business. And that transformation has seeped into organizations I lead. I’ve led through discomfort many times. I’ve restructured a board and redesigned corporate strategies. And I’ve dealt with the late nights, the doubts, and that familiar restlessness that keeps leaders awake thinking, “We have to make this change.”
Yet conviction, grounded in facts, gives me a sense of urgency. And that to me is leadership — seeing what could be and moving towards it. Viewing urgency as a journey toward clarity and not chaos.

And this is particularly important because organizations wrestle with hesitation just like individuals do. Some companies choose to wait for perfect timing — and lose their moment. Others say yes now — and change industries.

I’m sure you all are familiar with these three companies that sat at the same intersection in the 1990s. Remember Kodak?
Kodak saw digital images coming and froze. Blockbuster saw Netflix and laughed. Why? Organizational loss aversion. The fear of letting go of a successful past to pursue an uncertain future.

In contrast, Apple saw the same digital future and accelerated it. The difference? Two companies chose to protect their past and failed. One chose to create its future and thrived.

And that story isn’t foreign. It’s happened right here at home, too. Just think of how we went from seeing the glory days of a popular quick-service restaurant that defined our childhoods to the success and triumph of newer ones like Chicken Republic and Kilimanjaro.

We’ve also seen the rise and agility of fintechs pushing banks to challenge their long-held ways of doing business — and in doing so, unlocking entirely new markets and customer segments.

The companies that say yes now prove that courage and speed matter more than size and comfort. Therefore, the companies that thrive, the leaders who excel, the people who grow — they all share one thing: they’ve come to recognize the mask of hesitation and take it off.

When hesitation says “not yet,” they know that doing creates readiness. And when comfort offers its gentle cage, they choose the discomfort that leads to growth.

Indeed, when I look back at every important shift in my life, it began with a small yes — often inconvenient, sometimes uncomfortable, occasionally irrational.

Saying yes to tennis at 38. Saying yes to learning again. Saying yes to growth when it would have been easier to just stay still.
But here’s what I didn’t expect: saying yes never ends with you. My teams learn to challenge comfort because I did. The women I mentor raise their hands because they saw me raise mine. And my daughter Paris picked up a racket because I picked up courage.

Every yes we give ourselves becomes a light that tells someone else it is safe to begin.

So, right now in this room, someone is sitting on an idea — starting a new business, changing roles, writing that first page, booking that class. Maybe you’re waiting for perfect timing, asking yourself, “Should I do it? Should I wait?”

You already have your answer. The traffic light — it’s already green. So move. Say yes. But most of all… say yes now.

Thank you.

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