Lagos – Mr. Debo Adeniran, the convener of Beko Rights Klub (BRK) yesterday described the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti as a dedicated and committed icon who dedicated his life to the emancipation of Nigerian masses.
Adeniran spoke at the 9th Annual Beko Memorial Anniversary, organised by the Klub in collaboration with the Coalition against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) in Lagos.
The event was tagged: “Using Electoral Process as a Veritable Tool for Socio-Political Revolution in Nigeria.”
The late human rights activist died on February 10, 2006.
Adeniran, who is also the Chairman of CACOL, said that the late Beko died struggling to create an egalitarian society for all.
“The Nigeria that we have today is a Nigeria that we need to repair; we are not going to relent until we reengineer the Nigeria that we want.
“We are here again to remember the icon of our struggle, that courageous human being whose entire life was dedicated to the emancipation of Nigerian masses from enslavement.
“We will always be here to remember our hero until Nigeria of Beko’s dream comes to life,” he said.
According to him, Beko wanted a good society, good governance and a system without impunity, a system where justice prevails and where everybody is important.
Adeniran urged voters to use their ballots to elect good leaders in the nation.
Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, an activist and legal practitioner, said that the current political structure compelled people to two alternatives.
Olumide-Fusika said that Nigerians should use their strength and energy to usher in the kind of government they desire and which would implement masses-oriented programmes.
Mr. Bunmi Odeniyi, an activist and legal practitioner, said that the Nigerian masses had power in their hands in form of their votes.
“Power is in our hands, it is the masses that will determine who rule over us, let’s start organising ourselves,” he said.
Odeniyi said that Beko lived for the masses to create a better democratic environment for the common man.
Some activists, as part of the memorial, went in a procession from Obalende to the Ikoyi Cemetery in Lagos Island, where they laid wreaths at the graveside of the late Beko.
SOURCE: Nigerian Observer.