Gani Fawehinmi’s Family Accepts the GCON Honour Conferred on the Late Human Rights Activist

The family of late Gani Fawehinmi would accept the latest attempt by the Nigerian government to honour the iconic rights activist for his pro-citizens advocacy and other legacies of bravery, PREMIUM TIMES reports.

President Muhammadu Buhari announced on Wednesday that Mr. Fawehinmi would be posthumously conferred with the Grand Commander of Nigeria (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest honour.

Mohammed Fawehinmi, the first son of the late activist, told PREMIUM TIMES in the family’s first statement since the announcement that they would accept the GCON because it truly honoured the memory of Mr Fawehinmi.

“Accepting the award is a fuller affirmation of the commitment” of the late Mr Fawehinmi, his son said.

“The award is coming at the same time as the recognition of Abiola as the winner of the June 12 election,” he added.

The award to Mr. Abiola “is a veiled indictment of the old decision by the evil geniuses of yesteryears,” Mr Fawehinmi said.

“This would have been my father’s happiest moment because what he had canvassed for is the now being done,” Mr Fawehinmi said.

Gani Fawehinmi died in September 2009 after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. He was 71.