Ogun Gov Mourns Abiodun Aremu As Committee Releases Burial Plans

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with the family and friends and Nigeria’s civil society over the tragic death of foremost activist, Abiodun Aremu, saying that the incident left him profoundly distressed.

Abiodun, who described Aremu as one of the most courageous, forthright and consistent labour rights activists in the country, said the history of activism and the push for a better country could not be told without a large chapter dedicated to the icon.

According to him, the October 12, 2025 incident that occurred near Aremu’s home in Ota, Ogun State in which he was hit by a vehicle in a hit-and-run accident is most unfortunate.

Abiodun lamented that the life of a man of courage who gave the best part of his life to the struggle for the emancipation of Nigerians from slavery of all kinds was cut short by a lawless motorist who did not even bother to take him to hospital after the incident.

He said: “We are heartbroken by this terrible event. A bright star has been cut down in a most cruel manner, but we take consolation in the sacrificial life he lived.

“Even as he advanced in age, Aremu never got tired of fighting for a better Nigeria. He was a prominent voice of courage during military rule and when democracy came, he never stopped fighting for workers and Nigerians as a whole.

“Aremu was such a jolly good fellow. As he makes his final journey today, I pray that the Almighty God will give his family and friends and the labour and human rights community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May his gentle soul rest in sweet repose.”

Meanwhile, the burial plans of Aremu has been released.

According to a statement signed by Comrade Funmi Sessi, NLC chairperson, Lagos State and Executive Director, International Press Centre, Comrade Lanre Arogundade the late labour and civil society leader and socialist fighter, Fidelista Abiodun Aremu, popularly known as Comrade Areemson is to be buried on Thursday October 23, 2025 at his residence near Ijako Sugar bus stop, Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, Ogun State, the family and groups of associates have announced. 

The burial Committee in a statement said the funeral rites for the departed activist renowned for leading rallies and street protests would be in three parts.  

The first is an afternoon of tributes with the theme: Celebrating the Life of a Steadfast People’s Revolutionary taking place from 12pm to 4pm on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the NURSES HOUSE (National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives Lagos State Secretariat), 19 Amaraolu Street, near Pearlworth Hotel, close to the New African Shrine, by Hakeem Balogun, off Agidingbi Road, CBD I. 

 The tributes session would be chaired by Comrade Femi Falana, SAN, who also heads the burial Committee. 

Representatives of mass organisations including labour, trade unions, pro-democracy groups, human rights bodies and the Cuban Embassy, among others, are expected to speak during the afternoon of tributes. Later on Wednesday night, comrades and associates of Comrade Areemson would converge at his residence for a candle lit procession and vigil. 

On Thursday October 23rd, Comrade Areemson’s body would lie in state at his residence from 7am to 10am following which there will be a two-hour session of funeral orations and family tributes. Thereafter his remains will be interred. 

Comrade Abiodun Aremu was born in 1960 and died from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run incident in Ota area of Ogun State. His associates have called for investigations into the circumstances of his death.

A former students’ union leader at the Kwara Polytechnic, Comrade Areemson was General Secretary of Joint Action Front ((JAF) and a former secretary of the Labour and Civil Socuety Coalition (LASCO).