Family, friends, associates eulogise Braithwaite

‘He was a father, mentor and good man’
A short service organised at his residence by St. Paul’s Cathedral Church, Lagos was an opportunity for family , friends and associates of the late Dr. OIatunji Akintude Braithwaite to pay tributes to the legal and political icon who passed on at exactly 5:55 a.m. yesterday at Saint Nicholas Hospital, Lagos after a brief illness.

His aides and domestic staff described him as a “father, a mentor and good man.”One of his children, Olumide, a lawyer said: “My father passed away this morning. I urge Nigerians to remember the family, especially our mother, in prayers .”

The widow Grace (left); Taiwo Mayuku and Mrs. Modupe Alomale at the late Braithwaite’s residence in Lagos…yesterday<br />PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

According to him, “He was a selfless lawyer who laid down his life for the nation. Where other politicians feared to tread, my father stormed. His style of politics was unique, he remained resolute and never waivered. He inspired Gani Fawehinmi in the legal profession. Today is a day of mourning not just to the family but to all Nigerians.”

In a condolence statement, Pan-Yoruba socio-poltical organisation, Afenifere , in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin said the late Braithwate throughout his lifetime was known for his principled stance on national issues and consistent defence of the rights of the oppressed people of Nigeria.

“His death has brought a closure to a rich era of political sagacity and social crusading, ” Afenifere said.Also mourning Dr. Braithwaite, the Founder and President of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr.Frederick Fasehun described his demise as a personal loss.

A cross section of sympatisers

Explaining that the former Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Advanced Party (NAP) was a “personal friend and fellow democrat who had an unparalleled passion for the development of Yorubaland and people in particular and Nigeria in general.”

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian National Summit Group , Mr. Tony Uranta said Braithwaite “envisioned Nigeria long ago before most of us were born.’’

He said he would have wished Dr. Braithwaite was allowed to be the president of Nigeria at least for one term “with all sense of modesty, he was another president that never was. He was a firm Nigerian whose true feature is none in the firmament.”

In another condolence statement, lawyer and chairman, Egalitarian Mission Africa, Dr. Kayode Ajulo said ‘‘Braithwaite was a great lawyer, full of wits and gifted with rare technicalities.”

Some of the early callers to the house yesterday included Ven. and Mrs. A. G. Odubena who led the condolence service, Chief Mobolanle Ajomale, former NBA Lagos branch, and Mr. Alex Muoka.