(PRESS STATEMENT)We received, with rude shock the sad news of the death of Comrade Bamidele Aturu, a renowned human rights lawyer and advocate for the masses. According to information from family sources, Bamidele died on Wednesday, July 9 at a Lagos hospital after a brief illness.
He was one of the finest champions of the nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles and emerged one of the founding members and second National Convener of the foremost pro-democracy coalition, the UAD. He held that position between 2002 to 2004.
He remained unwavering in his chosen path of struggle against injustice, bad governance and dictatorship in Nigeria, devoting his life time towards serving humanity.
We recall that at the peak of the struggle against military tyranny, his NYSC certificate was with held because he refused to have a handshake with the then military administrator of Niger state, Col Lawan Gwadebe during the passing out parade of the NYSC.
His death is no doubt a big blow to the struggle for a better society for which he placed his life on the line on several occasions.
While we commiserate with his family as well as the human rights community, we pray that God will give us the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“BF, as he was fondly called, lived an exemplary life, worthy of emulation. He fought a good fight and contributed immensely to the emergence of the civilian regime which the opportunistic politicians, both in power and outside power, have been labouring hard to destroy’, said Comrade Baba Aye, the UAD Convener, promising that the coalition would remain committed to the struggle for a better society for which he laid down his life.
Comrade Bamidele Aturu has departed at a time when his dogged and intellectual input is most needed by the masses of Nigeria to help rescue the country from its current challenges and worsening crises engendered by tussles among the political class.
Adieu Comrade in the struggle. We are convinced that the truth you stood for will never die.
Aluta continua. Victoria Acerta.
Signed:
Comrade Baba Aye
National Convener
Comrade Zulu Ofoelue
General Secretary
Comrade Styve Obodoekwe
National Publicity Secretary
