It was not as if the death of Gani Fawehinmi was unexpected and the reason(s) had nothing to do with his age of only 71 or the law of nature that every human being some time, some day must die. Not even the fact that his illness was terminal.
Yet when the man’s death was reported, the shock was felt throughout the country. Indeed, it was such a surprise because less than a fortnight earlier, Gani Fawehinmi, from what has now turned out to be his death bed, was still carrying one of his remarkable legal battles to the Federal Court of Appeal. Now, in retrospect, he was telling anybody who cared to listen that despite his health condition, he was still on active service.

With that, I was woken up that Saturday morning by a visibly shocked, desperately sounding, one unidentified reader of this column requesting to know if it was true that Gani Fawehinmi “was dead,” his exact words, indicating some suddenness. If the man on the phone wanted to know whether Gani Fawehinmi “had died,” he, the inquirer would have been understood to be expecting the sad event on account of the cancer ailment.

Somehow, Gani Fawehinmi had so distinguished himself in national discussions and indeed controversies, such that his death from any cause would be unexpected, as it would be equally foolish to ascribe to any human being, some prospects of everlasting existence.
On personal note, I felt beaten to the news by a reader and, therefore, promised to confirm to him within two minutes. That done, there would be no doubt as my source also sourced the confirmation to Richard Akinnola, a very close ally of the deceased.

Developments since then are well-known. But who was this man, Gani Fawehinmi? Clearly, he was a political irritant, in an affectionate sense, to every government, military or civilian. Let’s face it, he was not a perfect human being. Gani Fawehinmi himself would not only admit that much but also that he was not a saint. In which case, the search must resume among fellow human beings for a saint.
However, Gani Fawehinmi was very peculiar. If there was ever a public figure who courted and valued the media for the attendant publicity from the beginning to the end, that was Gani. Even in death, he is still obliged by the media. Noticeably, nobody in Gani Fawehinmi’s generation, on death, was completely focused virtually by the entire media. Perhaps, deservedly.

He waged an unending battle for a better society and thereby emerged a consistent government critic. In that position, Gani Fawehinmi made the difference. What may not be known is that most of his fellow critics of government are mere pretenders and double-faced, reveling among the mob in the day and in the media.
Gani Fawehinmi, it must be said of him, was never one of that disreputable class. With him, you knew where he stood even if you disagreed with him. Fawehinmi would not harshly take on government in the day and then clandestinely appear at night in government circles to purge himself, claiming that he was misquoted by the media or that “… you know, we have to be seen to be criticizing government…” What thereafter follows is either continued stay in their public appointment or a fresh appointment/contract or sponsorship. I saw these antics in action for eight consecutive years.

In death, therefore, this is the best epitaph for Gani Fawehinmi, such that even if he had cause to disagree with friends or associates, he never compromised. It is on record that before the death of his ex-associate, Beko Ransome Kuti, he and Gani Fawehinmi publicly disagreed.
Gani Fawehinmi also engaged in public exchange of words with his professional colleague Olu Onagoruwa on each other’s role or unsuccessful aspiration in the events leading to the emergence of the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.

Also, in death, Gani Fawehinmi, by implication, brushed aside the major imperative of his religion on burial arrangements of a deceased to be completed within 24 hours after occurrence. Hence, a week after his death, Gani Fawehinmi is still to be buried. He was just himself even in death. But as the great American entertainer Frank Sinatra, in his farewell performance sang, “What is a man, if not himself?”
It is of course possible, as was in MKO Abiola’s case, for burial to be delayed if there are compelling circumstances for cause or causes of death to be established.

In Gani Fawehinmi’s case, the burial plans were said to be on his instructions which could only guarantee, perhaps for the final time, his life-long passion – unprecedented and sustained publicity.
By the way, it is hoped this other determination he was reported to have expressed in his last moments is not true, because it is just not possible. Gani Fawehinmi was reported to have said that if he ever had a chance to return to life (after death) he would continue to fight for the masses. Surely well intended. He was also reported to have said where it was not possible to return to life to continue his humanist struggle, he would resume the battle from inside the grave.
Over two thousand years after the death of Jesus Christ, only the assurance of his adherents keeps alive the hope of his return on a second coming. Neither has Prophet Mohammed resurrected. Not even from their graves could any of them continue their religious evangelism. Instead, only their followers on earth would continue the crusade.

That is the best hope for Gani Fawehinmi in death and in his grave – that his supporters can inherit the mantle to enhance the interests of the masses. There has never been another Jesus or another Prophet Mohammed. Equally, there can never be another Gani Fawehinmi even though in life or death, he does at the same level with Jesus or Prophet Mohammed.
In Gani Fawehinmi’s case, the best is that with his attainment, he erected an unbreakable concrete in Nigerian history.
Finally, since Gani Fawehinmi’s death, there have been well-meaning suggestions that some institutions or monument be named after him. In his life time, the man would not accept such honours.

Better still, Gani Fawehinmi’s family should be consulted before any monument is named after him. Otherwise, his family cannot be faulted if they reject any such honour, to maintain their patriarch’s principle when he was alive..