By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
The first lawyer from the northern part of the Country, AGF Abdul-Razaq (SAN) is dead. He died at the age of 93 on Saturday in Abuja, a statement released by the family confirmed.
This is contained in a statement, signed by Dr Alimi AbdulRazak, stated that: “With total submission to the will of the Almighty Allah, the AbdulRazaqs of Ilorin Emirate of Kwara State hereby announce the passing of their patriarch and statesman Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdul-Razaq SAN (OFR) at the age of 93 in Abuja. He was born in 1927.
“The Mutawali of Ilorin and Tafida of Zazzau (Zaria), who was Chairman of the Nigerian Body of Benchers, died peacefully at about 2a.m. on Saturday July 25th, 2020(the 4th day of Dhul-Hijjah 1441 AH.) “The first lawyer from the Northern Region is survived by his 90-year-old wife Alhaja Raliat AbdulRazaq, illustrious children (including incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq) and grandchildren.
In a condolence message from the Minister of Information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed condoles Kwara State Governor, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, and his entire family over the death of their patriarch, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdul-Razaq, SAN (OFR).
The Minister stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, he also sent his condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate as well as the government and people of Kwara State. He said the family of the deceased should take solace in the fact that Alhaji AbdulRazaq, SAN, led a worthy, fufilled and exemplary life.
”He left his footprints in the sand of time. He was not just a mere witness in the making of an independent Nigeria, he was an active participant. ”However, his greatest achievement, in my opinion, is the fact that he raised very successful children who, in their own rights, have also positively impacted Nigeria in their various fields of endeavour.
“That he lived
long enough to see His Excellency, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, elected and
sworn in as the Executive Governor of Kwara State, is no doubt the jewel in the
crown of his incredible landmark achievements,” Alhaji Mohammed said while
praying Allah to forgive the deceased’s sins and admit him into Aljannah
Firdaus.
Late Abdulrasaqwas born on November 1927 was the first Commissioner of Finance for Kwara State after the state was formed in 1967 under Yakubu Gowon’s military administration. He was also the first lawyer from the Northern part of Nigeria. He was President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange from 2000 – 2003 and Vice-President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange from 1983 – 2000.
Early life and education
Abdulganiyu was born in Onitsha on November 13, 1927 to Munirat and Abdul Rasaq. Both his parents were indigenous of Ilorin, Kwara State from Onokatapo and Yerinsa quarters (presently Adewole ward, Ilorin-West) respectively. He studied at the United African School in Ilorin from 1935 till 1936. In 1938, he started at CMS Central school, Onitsha and left in 1943 at the end of his primary education. He started his secondary education at the Kalahari National College, Buguma in 1944 and was there till 1945 when he left to attend African College, Onitsha. He was at African College till 1947. He was a foundation student at the University College, Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) in 1948.
Career
Abdulganiyu Abdulrasaq was called to bar on February 8, 1955 at the Inner Temple, London.After his return to Nigeria, he was made a special member of the Northern House of Assembly from 1960 – 1962 following the Country’s independence. Following that, he was the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Ivory Coast from 1962 to 1964. He was a member of the Federal Parliament from 1964 to 1966 as the Federal Cabinet Minister of State for Transport. He then became the Kwara State Commissioner of Finance, Health and Social welfare from 1967 – 1972. Abdulganiyu was a member of the Capital Issues Commission from 1973 to 1978 and has also been a member of the International Commission of Jurists since 1959. He is the current chairman of the Nigerian Council of human rights and has been the chairman since 1987. Abdulganiyu was appointed a SAN in 1985.
