Tunji Braithwaite dies at 82

Late Tunji Braithwaite

Front line politician, lawyer and former presidential candidate of the oldest surviving political party in the country, Nigeria Advance Party (NAP) Dr. Tunji Braithwaite is dead.

The octogenarian died at St. Nicholas hospital early on aged 82. Braithwaite was born in 1933, the youngest son of eight children.

He 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.

In February 1961, he was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn and thereafter signed the Rolls of Barristers at the High Court of Justice, Strand, London before returning to Nigeria.

His set at the call to the Bar included the late Ligali Ayorinde, the late Mrs. Omotosho (nee Sonola-Soyinka) and Fola Sasegbon among others. In March 1961, he was enrolled as a Barrister and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He is survived by his childhood sweetheart, Mrs. Grace, five children and many grandchildren.

Eulogy from Kayode Ajulo

That Tunji Braithwaite was a great lawyer is without a doubt, I was privileged to appeared against the senior lawyer at Lagos State High Court, Ikeja where he represented Mrs. Maiden Alex-Ibru while my humble-self represented E.K. Clark, Amb. A. B. Clark and Prof. J. P. Clark.

He was witted and gifted with rare technicalities, his dressing was sartorial with elegance even with the traditional wig and gown but I was surprised that he wore a slip-on black shoe instead of a formal Oxford shoe. (Thou a senior lawyer had dismissed this observation on health ground).

Despite my fierce opposition during our arguments that went personal, after the court session, he extended hands of fellowship to me, offered words of advice and heartily commended me. He was a good man.

Tunji Braithwaite was a scion of the popular Braithwaite family.

The Braithwaite family has contributed significantly to the socio-political, spiritual and economic development of Nigeria and Africa; starting as far back as the 1880s when Reverend I. Braithwaite led the first Anglican Missionary Expedition that opened up the Ijebu Province of Western Nigeria to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 1894, he built the first church in Epe, St. Michael’s, having accumulated a large congregation. St.Michael’s Epe is still in existence today and has been joined by a second Anglican church – the Reverend Braithwaite Memorial Anglican Church, Papa Epe.

Tunji’s elder brother, the late T.A. Braithwaite was a giant in the African insurance industry and was responsible for much of the development of that sector in Africa as a whole and certainly within the Nigerian economy. He is remembered for his significant impact in the development and creation of a vibrant economy.

The younger members of the Braithwaite family continue to be relevant to their community by playing significant roles in the various sectors of the economic and socio-political systems of the country.

Tunji Braithwaite was born in 1933, the youngest son of eight children. He 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.

He died this morning at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.

May the Lord comfort and strengthen his family.

Adieu, Sir.