Pa. Tunji Fortunatus Gomez: Celebrating The Lawyers’ Lawyer at 90
It is with great joy that I join family members, admirers, friends, colleagues and associates to celebrate an elder of the bar, activist, consummate bar man and the lawyers’ lawyer, Pa Tunji Fortunatus Gomez as he clocks the age of 90.
Pa Gomez has consistently believed and worked for the enthronement of justice in our society using the instrumentality of the law. From 1948, when he as a student in the prestigious Kings College led the students strike, through to his practice of law where he was a young lawyer in the legal team that defended the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1962, and later being the first Nigerian lawyer to challenge the military government in the case; Madam Shapara v Lagos State Government, he has tenaciously fought to protect what he believes in.
He is a courageous and dogged fighter for justice, role model to us and the younger generation. Pa Gomez is an inspirational elder of the bar, whose genuine interest in the good of the society and key issues relating to the NBA has earned him the love and respect of people within and outside the profession. He has no doubt contributed in his unique ways to the growth, unity and progress of our noble association.
As he attains the age of 90 today, I earnestly pray the Almighty to continue to grant him good health, wisdom and vitality to continue to provide us with the guidance in our quest to build a responsive, innovative and all inclusive bar.
Once again, happy birthday to the lawyers’ lawyer!!
Arthur Obi Okafor SAN, FCIArb, FICMC
