London - Human Right Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Gani Fawehimi, has been diagnosed with cancer of the lungs, by a private hospital in the United Kingdom, contrary to false diagnosis of heart-related problems, by a Nigerian hospital.

Confirming this, was one of Chief Fawehimi’s daughter, Rabiat, during activities marking his 70th birthday anniversary.

President Musa Yar’Adua, also undergoing treatment in Germany, gave Chief Fawehimi a surprise call to wish him a happy birthday and get well soon.

The cause of Fawehinmi’s ailment had remained unknown since he left Nigeria for the United Kingdom for medical attention. Rabiat confirmed that the chief was not given proper diagnosis of what was wrong with him in the hospital in Nigeria where he was attended to. They told him that something different was wrong with him. Even when he was trying to make sure that everything was alright, it was obvious that something was wrong somewhere.

“So, when the proper diagnosis was made, from then on, the proper medications were prescribed. He has been diagnosed of cancer. When he traveled to the UK, contrary to the insinuation that he had heart-related problem, doctors diagnosed that he had cancer; lung cancer.”

Fawehinmi’s state of health had remained a subject of concern to many Nigerians. He is believed to have had a long battle with asthma after he was detained in many parts of the country by past military regimes.

His close associate, the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, was also said to have had a long bout of asthma, until he was diagnosed of a cancer- related ailment.

At the birthday ceremony on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said that the fight against fraud in Nigeria was initiated by Fawehinmi and the Nigerian press.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Osita Nwajah, said that Fawehinmi fought against corruption with the support of the press even before the emergence of any government anti-corruption agency.

He pledged that the EFCC would always advance the cause for which Fawehinmi stood for.

Nwajah said, ”The fight against corruption can be linked to Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the media. The fight commenced with human rights movement, represented by Gani and the press. That is why there will always be media support for this fight and that is why EFCC is here today.

”You may disagree with his disposition in the fight against corruption, but he has the singular credit of putting the country forward all the time. With him, Nigeria is first all the time and that is something we are here to celebrate and that is something EFCC is going to carry forward institutionally.

”We are talking of an individual, giving so much to the Nigerian nation, and as an institution, we(EFCC) want to move this man forward, that is the connection.”

Nwajah stressed that Fawehinmi’s ‘s indisposition at the moment was being felt by the agency and Nigerians, including the down-trodden, who shared his vision.

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