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By Lukman Olabiyi
Prominent organisations and individuals, including the Cuban government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, Joe Okei-Odumakin and others, have paid glowing tributes to the late rights activist, Abiodun Aremu.
Aremu, who passed away on October 12, devoted his life to the struggle for national liberation, the dignity of labour and the empowerment of the oppressed. A bridge between generations of activists, he was known for his ideological clarity, selfless service and unwavering belief that a better Nigeria and Africa are possible through collective action and people-centred governance. His passing marks the end of an era of uncompromising activism rooted in integrity, discipline and solidarity.
At a special event tagged, “Celebrating the life of a steadfast people’s revolutionary: Day of tribute for Fidelista Abiodun Aremu-Aremson,” organised to celebrate the lifetime of the deceased, participants described him as a fearless advocate for workers’ rights and a dedicated voice for the downtrodden.
The Cuban embassy in Nigeria praised his steadfast support for Cuba and his role in fostering solidarity between the Nigerian and Cuban peoples, especially in areas of anti-imperialist struggle and international cooperation.
The country’s condolence message was read and delivered by Femi Aborishade.
The NLC and TUC both described his death as a great loss to the labour movement in Nigeria and Africa at large.
According to them, Aremu’s contributions to labour policy, workers’ welfare and democratic development would remain indelible.
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Chairman of the event, Falana commended the late activist for his principled stance on national issues, adding that Aremu was a true patriot who placed the interest of the people above personal gain.
Lamenting the circumstance that led to his death, Falana said: “This an irony for me. This is a human being fighting for a good society, fighting for a just society so that everybody will have access to medical care, good education and all the good things of life. Such a man who suffered a stroke because of the crisis in the society, had to be killed by a hit-and-run driver. Whichever way you look at the facts and circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of our comrade, you cannot but hold the Nigerian state responsible because of the way the police system in our country is organised.
“If anybody falls, if anybody is hit by a vehicle and you attempt to take the person to the hospital, the first thing is, where is the police report? It got to a stage where people in Nigeria decided to take the law into their own hands.”
Executive Director, International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade described the late Aremu as the bridge between generations of activists and charged fellow rights activists to pick up the banner from where the deceased dropped it.
“Aremu was known for his ideological clarity, selfless service and unwavering belief that a better Nigeria and Africa are possible through collective action and people-centred governance. His passing marks the end of an era of uncompromising activism rooted in integrity, discipline and solidarity,” he said.
Joint Action Front (JAF), in its tribute, called on all activists, rights groups and organisations to recommit themselves to struggle to immortalise the deceased.
Other civil society groups and labour organisations also joined in celebrating Aremu’s life, calling for the continuation of his legacy through renewed commitment to justice, equity and workers’ rights.
