10th July, 2014
Human Rights Groups including the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Omnira Yoruba Assembly (OYA) on Wednesday mourned the death of the late Human rights lawyer and Activist, Bamidele Aturu.
Aturu died on Wednesday evening on his way to Lagos University Teaching Hospital after he collapsed. He was 49 years old.
Lagos State Chairman of the CLO, Mr Ehi Omokhuale described the death a “rude shock”. “Aturu’s death reminds me of the blow the human rights community was dealt when Chima Ubani and Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) died.
“We have lost one of the voices of the people in Nigeria. His death is another wake up call for us to try and leave legacies at every point in our life because no one knows when death will come knocking” Omokhuale said.
AYCF President Yerima Shetimma described the loss as a big blow to the nation.
“I am still in shock. It is so unfortunate but the lesson to all of us is try try to always impact positively on other people’s lives. His death has created a vacuum that may never be filled” yerima said.
In his reaction, the Director of Strategy OYA, Razaq Oladosu said the loss of Aturu was “devastating”.
“Aturu was a versatile comrade, the second convener of the United Action for Democracy (UAD). He was trustworthy, not given to vanity and a bridge builder. He will be greatly missed.”