Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo has described the late rights activist, Mr Ariyo Dare-Atoye, as a champion of civil rights and social justice.
Osinbajo, represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, stated this on Saturday at the “Night of Tributes” at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
The occasion was put together by family members, friends and the civil society organisation (CSO) associates of the late Ariyo Dare-Atoye.
Present on the occasion were a former governor of Ekiti State, Asiwaju Segun Oni, a former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, a former National Publicity of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, presidential candidate of AAC, Mr Omoyele Sowore, Dr Dayo Adeyeye, Chairman of the Editorial Board of THISDAY newspapers, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, and Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Evarlasting Arm Parish, Evaristus Azodoh and wife, Dr Ngozi Azodoh.
Others also included activists Aisha Yesufu, Abdul Mamud, Enebehi Effiong, Ossai Ojiugo of Amnesty International and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Shehu Garban.
The occasion was presided over by Dr Sam Amadi.
Osinbajo said he was deeply saddened by the news of Ariyo Dare-Atoye’s death.
He noted that Ariyo was a trained journalist with a B.Sc in Mass Communication from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and M.Sc in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.
He stated that Ariyo Dare-Atoye was a public intellectual, noting that he was referred to as Aristotle.
He said that Ariyo Dare-Atoye evolved and became a member of the political elite.
He pointed out that right from his undergraduate days, his activities were evolving and would later on become renowned in the civil society space.
Osinbajo said that Ariyo Dare-Atoye was dedicated to the vision of a New Nigeria and was a very active social justice crusader.
According to him, Ariyo Dare-Atoye played an instrumental role in the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022 by the National Assembly and the signing into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Vice-president noted that Ariyo Dare-Atoye lived a life motivated by the right values and the desires to do the right things for the benefit of humanity.
According to him: “The kindness of his life and the generosity of his spirit marked him out….He was true to the ideas of truth and justice….He brought people together across tribes…
“Ariyo was a caring friend, an abiding friend, a man of unmistakable considerations. He will be sorely missed.
“On behalf of the FG and the good people of Nigerians, the Vice-president extends commiserations to his family, friends and associates.”
A former governor of Ekiti State, Asiwaju Segun Oni decribed Ariyo Dare-Atoye as an exceptional patriot who believed in Nigeria against all odds, who believed Nigeria would get better.
“Let us continue to pray that the new Nigeria of his dream would come quickly.
“Abiola (Ariyo’s wife), my daughter and my grandchildren (Ariyo’sthree little children), the Lord will stand in the gap for you.”
A former Ondo State Governor, Dr Mimiko, described Ariyo Dare-Atoye as a highly cerebral young man who was excellent company always and was committedly involved in practical and theoretical terms in the quest for a better Nigeria.
Chief Olisa Metuh said he was not at the Night of Tributes to talk about how Ariyo Dare-Atoye died but how he lived and touched the life of society.
He said that “Ariyo was a champion leading the charge against Democratic oppression. He embodied the struggle for a better Nigeria. He fearlessly led the struggle for the amendment of the Electoral Act for a free and fair 2023 General elections.
“Only God knows why he did not wait to be part of the elections.
“Ariyo believed in democratic tenets of constitutional liberty, freedom and fairness which he pursued to the end.”
Abiola, Ariyo Dare-Atoye’s wife, said that the secret of her husband’s rise and accomplishments was that he did not delay taking actions once he set out to do something.
According to her: “He believed in keeping fidelity to agreements.”
She continued: “It takes selfless love to be committed in a relationship, it takes selfless love to fight for another, it takes selfless love to be a great leader.
”We grew together and let me say this, my husband was an Angel in Human Form. It’s so hard to say “Good bye” to my darling Husband…………but God knows it all.”
She added: “I thank God for the love that I am enjoying today on his account. His friends have been wonderful. Even after his death, the love has continued.”
Abiola said that she hoped that the new Nigeria he (Ariyo) wanted to see would happen sooner than later; and that Nigeria would not happen to more saintly and innocent Nigerians.”
Pastor Evaritus Azodoh, in his tribute, said “It is not a comfortable thing for me to be giving this tribute about this young man. We cannot question God. If He did not permit it, it would not have happened.
“Ariyo’s humility was unparalleled. He believed in pursuing his passion. He was fearless. He was a young man of conviction. He did not care whose ox was gored.
“It is good to talk about a New Nigeria. We cannot have a new Nigeria without having Nigeria in our hearts.
“Ariyo wanted to make a difference. I pray that the New Nigeria which he worked for would happen sooner than later.”
Rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, practically wept on the occasion, saying that the three little children left behind by Ariyo Dare-Atoye had become “our children”, stressing “We must stand for the family…”
Another activist, Abdul Mahmud, condoled with Asiwaju Oni on the loss of Ariyo and the loss, three years ago of Bunmi Ojo, his aide, who was a member of the tribe of activists even as he lamented the “depletion of our tribe.”
Omoyele Sowore, in his tributes, said “we should start questioning God while young, innocent people should be dying while old wicked people are alive tormenting us.”
He said Ariyo Dare-Atoye was always in between him and the police.
“You could disagree with Ariyo but he was not disagreeable. He would still talk with you.”
Senator Dino Melaye who represented former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar, extolled the virtues of commitment to cause of humanity and society that the late Ariyo Dare-Atoye exemplified.
Melaye, in his personal capacity, promised to contribute N500,000 annually to the Endowment Foundation to assist the education of Ariyo Dare-Atoye’s three little children. He dropped a cash of N500,000 for the first year.
A rights activist and Ariyo Dare-Atoye’s alter ego, Mr Deji Adeyanju, who played a lead role in mobilising support for the late Ariyo while in the hospital and in the burial arrangements, spoke about his struggles and activism with Ariyo.
He also gave the vote of thanks to all and sundry who identified with Ariyo’s family members and friends in their time of grief.
There was a short powerful documentary on the life and times of Ariyo Dare-Atoye on the occasion, which was rounded off by candle lights.
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