Buhari, Governors, Mourn Tunji Braithwaite

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the immediate family, friends, professional colleagues and political allies of Elder statesman Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, who died at the age of 83-years at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos, on Monday.

Braithwaite, who was a fiery lawyer, politician and human rights activist, was born in 1933. He was the youngest son of eight children.

In a statement issued in Abuja by his media adviser, Mr. Garba Shehu, Buhari said his passing away came at a time when his wisdom, intellectual depth, vast knowledge and experience were sorely needed by the country.

He recalled the immeasurable contributions of the late politician to the development of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Nigeria.

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According to him, the elder statesman was quintessentially selfless, patriotic and committed to national development as his passion to serve the people never waned despite not winning in the presidential elections.

Also reacting, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun described Braithwaite demise as “a great loss.” He said: “He will be remembered, not just for his contributions to the legal profession, but also to the development of the democratic ethos in Nigeria.”

Similarly, Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, described the Braithwaite’s death as a great loss, submitting that the deceased showed love and genuine concern for the downtrodden.

“Dr. Braithwaite’s death came to me as a rude shock because it was never envisaged that he was going to transit to the great beyond at this critical time in our nation’s history, given his concern for the nation and commitment to the general wellbeing of the masses,” he said.

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Braithwaite was educated at the prestigious C.M.S Grammar School, entering the school’s Preparatory Section in 1946 and completing his education there in 1953.

He proceeded to sit for his A Levels at the London University at Kennington College in 1955 and enrolled in 1957/58 as a Law student at the Council of Legal Education, London. He was admitted into Lincoln’s Inn that same year and graduated as a barrister in 1960.

He married his childhood sweetheart; Grace S. Falade in 1956 while they were undergraduates. They have 5 children and many grandchildren.

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