The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has described the death of Emmanuel Eyesan Okorodudu as an irreplaceable loss to the human rights community.
Emmanuel, the younger brother of Professor Margaret Okorodudu-Fubara, Chair, of the Board of Trustees of the Environmental Rights Development Foundation, was Head, of Democracy and Good Governance at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Secretariat. He was 58 years.
In a statement issued in Benin, ERA/FoEN said the death of Emmanuel Okorodudu is sad but also an opportunity for the human rights community to reflect on the nation’s shrinking civic space and how to move its fledging democracy forward.
“Okorodudu was a model of relentless and untiring defense of the downtrodden and the oppressed. He was the voice of the voiceless and a strong defender of democracy. He epitomized peace, justice, and the rule of law. The human rights community has lost a rare icon”, said ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Chima Williams.
We extend our condolences to Emmanuel Okorodudu’s immediate family and pray that God will strengthen them at this time of grief”, Williams added.
A funeral Mass and wake keeping will be held in his honour at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja today (January 10).
Funeral Mass and Interment for him will also hold at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warri-Sapele Road Warri, Delta State on January 13, 2022.