AGF Abdul-Razaq SAN: Iconic lawyer, Father of Kwara Governor Dies at 93
The family of the Abdulrazaq of Ilorin Emirate has announced the death of their patriarch and statesman Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdul-Razaq SAN (OFR) at the age of 93 in Abuja.
He was the father of the Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
In a statement signed by his eldest son, Dr. Alimi Abdulrazak, stated that 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.)
PRNigeria gathered that the elder Abdulrasaq popularly known AGF 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.
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 was the first Commissioner of Finance for Kwara State after the state was formed in 1967 under Yakubu Gowon’s military administration in 1967 before becoming Commissioner of Health and Social welfare. Abdulganiyu was a member of the Capital Issues Commission from 1973 to 1978 and had also been a member of the International Commission of Jurists since 1959. As the first lawyer from Northern Nigeria, he was appointed a SAN in 1985.
He was President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange from 2000 – 2003 and Vice-President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange from 1983 – 2000. Before his death, PRNigeria gathered that he was chairman of the Nigerian Council of human rights since 1987.
He is survived by his wife Hajia Raliat Abdulrazak and illustrious children including Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq, Managing Partner of AbdulRazaq SAN & Co.; Senator Khairat Razaq-Gwadabe; Isiaka AbdulRazaq (FCA), the erstwhile Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the NNPC; Hajia Aisha Mohammed Lawal, the former First Lady of Kwara State, and Mallam Abdulrauph, an entrepreneur.
Below is the Press Statement from the family
By PRNigeria
InnalilLaahi Wainnaa Ilaihi Raajiun.
AGF Abdul-Razaq SAN dies at 93
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.
Arrangement for his interment will be announced by the family shortly.
Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq
(For the Family)
July 25th 2020
