The civil society and labour community have been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of Comrade Abiodun Aremu, a veteran activist and one of the nation’s most consistent voices for justice and workers’ rights.
Aremu, 65, who served as Secretary of the Joint Action Front (JAF) — the umbrella body for pro-labour civil society organisations — was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Sunday, October 12, while crossing the road to his residence in Ota, Ogun State, around 6 p.m.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle sped off after knocking him down. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors battled to save his life and placed him on oxygen, but he was later pronounced dead.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Aremu family and the Labour Movement have agreed to shift his burial from the earlier date of Monday, October 13, to Thursday, October 23, 2025, to allow for wider mobilisation and a befitting farewell.
According to a statement by Owei Lakemfa, former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) and ex-Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC):
“The Aremu family has agreed with the Labour Movement that the interment of our leader, Comrade Abiodun ‘Aremson’ Aremu, be moved by about two weeks. This is to allow for proper mobilisation and attendance.”
Lakemfa announced that the burial will take place at 30 Kabiru Fatoye Street, opposite Alaka Field, Ijako Sugar Bus Stop, Ifo Road, Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, adding:
“Our hearts are with the dear family of our departed Comrade.”
Earlier, in a tribute that captured the magnitude of Aremu’s loss, Lakemfa described him as “one of the greatest revolutionaries and internationalists of our time.”
He said:
“Comrade Abiodun ‘Aremson’ Aremu joined the pantheon of revolutionaries on Sunday, October 12, 2025. He was an inimitable leader of the working class in Nigeria who developed enduring structures for collaboration and growth within the labour movement, including LASCO and the Kolagbodi Memorial Foundation.”
Aremu was also instrumental in building the Amilcar Cabral Ideological School (ACIS-M), a centre dedicated to nurturing young activists into revolutionary thinkers and leaders.
He served as Secretary of the Nigeria Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara and the Nigerian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba, and was a recipient of the Friendship Medal awarded by the Cuban government for his outstanding internationalist contributions.
Lakemfa concluded:
“The greatest honour we can give our fearless teacher and leader is to continue in his footsteps and build a world founded on social justice.”
The death of Abiodun “Aremson” Aremu marks the end of an era — the silencing of a steadfast voice that never wavered in the fight for the oppressed. His comrades say the struggle he lived and died for will continue — even louder.