Gani Fawehinmi: Activists Commence 4th Memorial Anniversary in Lagos, Demand Creation of Freedom Park in Abuja

By SaharaReporters, New York

Activists from various civil society organizations today addressed a press conference in Lagos to kick-start a three-phase programme commemorating the fourth anniversary of the death of the radical human rights advocate and lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
They called on the government to rename the headquarters of National Human Rights Commission in the federal capital as GANI FAWEHINMI HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE, and to establish a Freedom Square in his name also in the city where aggrieved Nigerians, CSOs, activists can gather peacefully to protest and express their feelings about bad governance.
The activists also announced that they have registered the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organization (GAFAMORG) with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) specifically for the annual commemoration of the passing of the radical lawyer on September 5, 2009.
Under GAFAMORG this year, a “road show” will be held in Lagos on August 31 starting from the Obafemi Awolowo Way link-bridge and ending at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square in Ojota, the scene of the mass protest against the removal of fuel subsidy by the government in January last year.
On September 5, GAFAMORG will hold their main event, a public lecture, at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos Airport Hotel, at 10.00am. A ‘Night of Tribute’ is also scheduled for the same day at Jabita Hotel on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, at 6pm.
The activists said it was imperative to analyze current anomalies in Nigeria, describing the likely actions Chief Fawehinmi might have taken were he still alive.
They spoke highly against corruption, government ineptitude, the education crisis that has resulted in the ASUU strike, and impunity, among other menaces.