The death of human rights activist, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, has thrown the civil society space in Nigeria into mourning.
Atoye, it was gathered, died of lung cancer on 27 October, 2022, in Abuja.
The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said he was devastated with the news of the demise of the Executive Director of Adopt-A-Goal Initiative.
Itodo, in a tweet, said Ariyo will be remembered for his contributions to electoral reforms.
I am devastated with news of the demise of my brother, friend and fierce pro democracy advocate @AriyoAristotle Ariyo will be remembered for his contributions to electoral reforms. “…Jesus got me” were his last words to me. May God comfort his wife and kids. RIP bro 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/Cmpn64JpMN
— #NotTooYoungToRun (@DSamsonItodo) October 27, 2022
As for the Chief Executive Officer of Connected Development (CODE), Hamzat Lawal, he said Atoye’s death was sad and painful.
Ariyo. A good man. So sad and painful.
— Hamzat Lawal – 🐘 (@HamzyCODE) October 27, 2022
For his part, Director at BudgIT, Seun Onigbinde, said Atoye was courageous and steady voice for electoral reforms in Nigeria.
‘He didn’t only advocate on social media; he was on the streets to express his convictions’, Onigbinde tweeted.
Rest in Peace, Mr Ariyo Atoye. He was courageous and steady voice for electoral reforms. He didn’t only advocate on social media; he was on the streets to express his convictions.
May the Lord comfort everyone mourning this huge loss to the civil society and political sphere.
— Olúṣeun Onígbindé (@seunonigbinde) October 27, 2022
Arise Television’s Sumner Sambo also had some moving words for Atoye. The broadcaster said Atoye was a defender of the public conscience and a remarkable Nigerian.
Such a very sad loss indeed, I’m saddened by this loss of a true patriot. @AriyoAristotle Ariyo Raphael Dare-Atoye was such a great man who had the public interest at heart at all times. He was a defender of the public conscience and a remarkable Nigerian… pic.twitter.com/MW6MCXalaZ
— Sumner Shagari Sambo (@Sumner_Sambo) October 27, 2022
Atoye attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and later a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.
He had led a campaign for electoral reforms in Nigeria, and his contributions to the recent changes to electoral guidelines by the Nigerian parliament were widely acknowledged.
He was a frontline human rights crusader who stood against oppression, injustice and forces and actions that sought to undermine civic and media space.
Photo source: Akelicious
