Family members and friends of late Human Rights Crusader, Mr Ariyo Dare-Atoye, on Friday paid him emotional tributes at a service of song/wake organized in his honor.
Dare-Atoye, the Executive Director of Adopt a Goal Initiative and former staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), died on Oct. 27 in Abuja at the age of 41.
At a service of songs held at the Redeemed Christians Church of God (RCCG), The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP), Garki Abuja, Dare-Atoye, known as Aristotle, was described as a humble man who sacrificed all for development of humanity and his country, Nigeria.
A tearful Human Rights Activist, Deji Adeyanju, who could not control his emotion, described Dare-Atoye as a humble man who was considerate even in his death.
He also described Dare-Atoye as a dependable friend who stood by him for over two decades, even when he (Adeyanju) was arrested and put in prison.
“Dare-Atoye was always diplomatic and I am always the problematic one. I learned so many lessons from him. He was always the peacemaker. He was just amazing and always considerate.
“Even in death he was considerate. He didn’t want to stress anybody. He didn’t want to labour us. He was just an amazing soul,” Adeyanju said.
He said the biggest way to keep the legacies of the deceased was for political actors to play by the rule in 2023 general elections.
“All through his life, one of the things that Dare-Atoye was known for was the Electoral Act and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“We hope that politicians will not subvert BVAS, allow votes to count and the will of the people to prevail. That is the biggest way to sustain his legacies.
“He was always at the forefront of electoral reforms advocacy, even when he was standing alone in front of the National Assembly, he was always consistent on this issue,” Adeyanju said.
A pro-democracy campaigner and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, described Dare-Atoye as a nice, selfless, unassuming and very humbled young man who was dedicated to the development of democracy in Nigeria.
“He was one of the best mobilizers you have in the activist movements in Nigeria.”
A member of the Nigeria Civil Society Organisations, Andrew Imatome, described Dare-Atoye as the best hand among Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria.
Imatome urged CSO members to quickly bring up someone to step into the vacuum created by the death of Dare-Atoye.
“Dare-Atoye can die for you. He single handedly sponsored the Electoral reform. He was so real and so natural. He was better than me. wish I can copy his life style,” Imatome said.
Mr Yusuf Olaniyonu, a Special Adviser to former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, described Dare-Atoye as a honest person who always stood by his words.
A memorial/evening of tribute for him is scheduled for Saturday at Unity Fountain, Abuja, while his body departs Abuja for Ekiti on Sunday, Nov. 6, and burial in Ekiti on Monday Nov. 7.