Tears, tributes as labour icon Abiodun Aremu dies in road crash, burial holds Oct 13

Tears, tributes as labour icon Abiodun Aremu dies in road crash, burial holds Oct 13

 

Nigeria’s labour movement and civil society community have been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of Comrade Abiodun Aremu, a foremost human rights activist and Secretary of the Joint Action Front (JAF), a coalition of pro-labour organisations.

Aremu, 65, was reportedly killed by a hit-and-run driver near his residence in Ota, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 12, 2025, around 6 p.m. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was confirmed dead after efforts to revive him failed.

His family, in a statement, announced that he would be buried on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at No. 30 Kabiru Fatoye Street, Opposite Alaka Field, Ijako Sugar Bus Stop, Ifo Road, Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway.

The family explained that the burial, earlier scheduled for October 13, was postponed to allow the labour movement and sympathisers adequate time to mobilise and give the late activist a befitting farewell.

Confirming the new date, former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity and ex-Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Owei Lakemfa, described Aremu as “one of the greatest revolutionaries and internationalists of our time.”

“The Aremu family has agreed with the Labour Movement that the interment of our leader, Comrade Abiodun ‘Aremson’ Aremu, will be moved by about two weeks to ensure proper mobilisation,” Lakemfa said.

“Our hearts are with the dear family of our departed comrade, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of activists.”

Until his death, Aremu was a respected organiser and teacher within Nigeria’s radical movement.

He founded the Amilcar Cabral Ideological School (ACIS-M) to train and conscientise young people, nurturing them into socially conscious leaders capable of driving revolutionary change.

Aremu also served as Secretary of the Nigeria Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara and Secretary of the Nigerian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba. In recognition of his global activism, he received the Friendship Medal from the Cuban government for his outstanding contributions to international solidarity.

Lakemfa noted that the greatest tribute to Aremu’s memory would be for Nigerians to continue the struggle for justice and equality to which he devoted his life.

“Comrade Aremu lived and died for a just world. The best way to honour him is to continue his work and build a society founded on social justice,” he said.

Tributes have continued to pour in from across Nigeria’s labour, academic, and human rights communities, many describing Aremu as “a fearless organiser, a thinker, and a man who lived for the people.”