TUNJI BRAITHWATE DIES AT 82

Elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite is dead. Aged 82, Braithwaite  died on Monday, March 28 , 2016  at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.

His son, Olumide, who confirmed his demise, said he died after a brief illness.

He founded The Nigeria Advance Party  a progressive political party and registered for the 1983 elections. He  was known for his opposition and as a lawyer, the party was the only new political organization allowed to field candidates for the 1983 elections. The party was composed of southern Nigerian intellectuals favoring a reformist government

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.

The 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