Ariyo-Dare Atoye Spoke Truth To Power – Sowore, Deji Adeyanju, Aisha Yesufu, Others Pay Tributes To Late Nigerian Activist
Emotions ran high on Friday in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, at the service of songs for prominent Nigerian human rights activist, Ariyo-Dare Atoye.
The event was attended by the activists, members of civil society organisations, politicians, families, friends and journalists who paid their last respect to the late activist fondly called Aristotle.
Some of the activists at the event included the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, Deji Adejanju, Aisha Yesufu, Sam Amadi, Mahmud Abdul and Osai Ojigho.
Others are; former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh , former presidential spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi among others.
Ariyo died of lung cancer at the age of 41 on October 27, 2022, at a private hospital in Abuja and he began his final journey with the service of songs at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) The Everlasting Arms Parish, Garki.
Speaking at the event, Sowore described Ariyo as selfless, irrepressible, courageous, humble and a man of impeccable integrity. He said Ariyo was one of the best mobilisers in the human rights activism movement.
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Sowore said, “Ariyo will never abandon what he believes in and he would always carry you along. As a matter of fact, he has just called me few days before he was hospitalised and he said we needed to talk because 2023 is coming and he wanted to find out where we should stand.”
He said Ariyo left a legacy of speaking truth to power irrespective of intimidation by calling for free and fair election in 2023.
“He took side with the truth when election matters are concerned and I can say that categorically. It is a pity we lost him,” Sowore added.
On his own part, Adeyanju who could not control his emotions said “Ariyo was my friend for over two decades. He has stood by me even during our days in NANS as student leaders.
“Anytime I am arrested, he is always there for me. It’s like I am the one that just passed on. Ariyo was a diplomatic one, I was a problematic one. I learned so many lessons from him. He was always a peacemaker. Even in death he was considerate. We were with him from the beginning to the last. He did not want to stress anyone. Ariyo is just amazing.”
Adeyanju said Ariyo had been an advocate of electoral act and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), an electronic device designed to read Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters.
He therefore called on Nigerian politicians to play by the rules and allow votes to count in 2023 general election.
Aisha Yesufu who also attended the event was speechless and was yet to come to terms with reality as she wept profusely.
Also speaking at the event, a former Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, described Ariyo as someone who was ready to sacrifice everything for the betterment of humanity.
“He was active in election issues. Ariyo is somebody who knew he would not stay too long. He always impacted very heavily for more than his age. Ariyo’s activism and advocacy was not partisan.
“When I told him that they would not pass the electoral act and he said we would keep pushing. Ariyo kept trying and pushing with his quiet and effective leadership and we got what we have today.
“We will look back at the life that is dedicated to truth, humility, love and patriotism” Amadi said.
Ariyo was the Executive Director of the Adopt-A-Goal Initiative. He hailed from Ekiti State.
He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and later capped it with a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.
