These values, the Emir believes, matter regardless of ethnicity, religion and region.
“If you are a thief, you are a thief—whether you are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Muslim, Christian, a lawyer, or otherwise. That is your identity,” he said.
“You could be from the north or the south, wealthy or poor, a president or an emir. These are aspects of your identity. You may not like it, but that’s the reality. Can we please begin to reflect and stop taking pride in superficial, misleading distinctions?”
Apart from Emir Sanusi, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, (SAN), lauded the enduring legacy of the late Fawehinmi, describing him as a symbol of courage and justice.
“The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi left an indelible mark on human rights advocacy, public service, and the legal profession,” Keyamo, who was represented by a Director in the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mr. Henry Agbebire, said in his goodwill message.
“His legacy inspires us all with its courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice for the common man.”
He added, “As someone whose human rights activism began under the mentorship of Gani Fawehinmi, I take pride in the continued relevance of issues he championed, including citizens’ rights, accountable governance, and equitable public policy. These principles guide my work today.”
The minister was optimistic that “the deliberations will offer solutions that can guide our nation towards economic progress and fairness”.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN); the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Lagos State, Lawal Pedro (SAN), and human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN), were among the top guests at the lecture.
