“I am not surprised that he is being honoured for his role in the democratic struggle in the country particularly the struggle that followed the annulment of the June 12,1993 presidential election”
By John Odunayo
Former Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, has congratulated human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, over the national award of the Commander of the Niger (CON) bestowed on him by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu announced the award in Abuja on Thursday while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly to mark the Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
The Alawe, who spoke on behalf of Ilawe Ekiti, Falana’s hometown, thanked Tinubu for honouring the senior advocate, saying, “The entire people of Ilawe-Ekiti are happy to receive the good news”.
A statement on Friday by his media Adviser, Ajibade Olubunmi, said that the monarch, while speaking in his palace on Thursday, hailed the rights activist for focus on the upliftment of the downtrodden in all spheres of life.
Oba Alabi said, “I am not surprised that the Ilawe-born lawyer is being honoured for his role in the democratic struggle in the country particularly the struggle that followed the annulment of the June 12,1993 presidential election.
“Aside from his commitment to improved democratic values in the country, Femi Falana has always been a human rights activist, focusing on the upliftment of the down trodden in all spheres of life.
“The legal luminary has been a pillar of support to many positive developments in Ilawe-Ekiti, his home town, and the people are always happy to have him as a leader and a facilitator of many projects in the community,” the traditional ruler said.
