Gani Fawehinmi lives on in Uba Sani, daughter says

Basirat Fawehinmi Biobaku said her late father, pro-democracy and human rights activist Gani Fawehinmi, lives on in the work of Kaduna Governor Uba Sani.

Biobaku praised Sani at the presentation in Kaduna of her book, “Gani Fawehinmi and Uba Sani: A Tale of Mentor and Mentee.” She said Sani had stayed true to her father’s values, especially his warning that public officials must never forget ordinary people.

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Uba, if you ever have the opportunity to serve our country, Nigeria, in any capacity, make sure you never ever forget the masses of our people.

She recalled that Sani lived with the Fawehinmi family in Lagos for four years. He had breakfast with Gani every morning and went to the office with him, she said. More than three decades ago, her father advised Sani to remain committed to the welfare of Nigerians whenever he had the chance to serve.

Biobaku said her view of Sani’s administration was based on what she saw during a visit to Kaduna State. She credited the governor with building schools and classrooms and reducing the number of children out of school by providing free education from primary through secondary level. She also cited the establishment of primary healthcare centres in all 255 wards.

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Without peace, no development can take place.

She praised infrastructure and rural transformation projects for improving transport, helping farmers move produce to markets, reducing travel time and stimulating economic activity. She said efforts to promote peace between northern and southern Kaduna had created conditions for development. “Without peace, no development can take place,” she said.

Biobaku also described Sani’s choice of a Christian from Southern Kaduna as his running mate in the 2027 elections as evidence of his commitment to inclusion and unity. She said her 77-year-old mother, Ganiat Fawehinmi, who cooked for Sani when he lived with the family, remained proud of him.

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Governor Comrade Uba Sani, if Gani Fawehinmi were alive today, he would have been very proud of you.