Women Arise for Change Initiatives and Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, have described late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, as a fierce fighter for justice, a symbol of spousal love and a preacher of fairness and freedom.

Presidents of Women Arise, Joe Okei-Odumakin, and KIND, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, in a joint statement on Friday while remembering her after 25 years of departure said her death will always be in the heart of many because of her standard against base projection of power, wanton destruction, killings, kidnappings and insecurity.

The groups recalled at Kudirat’s liberty seeking spirit and her love for all.

The two groups while emphasizing on the need to value human lives, however remembered Leah Sharibu and several persons who were taken into captivity by terrorists for many years.

The statement reads partly: “Today marks 25 years since the assassination of Kudirat Abiola. It was like yesterday! Yet, with the passage of time, the needs and demands that drove Nigeria’s movement for democracy have only grown more urgent.

“Kudirat, a fierce fighter for justice, an epitome of commitment, a symbol of spousal love and paragon of African beauty, was murdered by Nigeria's military junta. She waxes strong in memoriam while the tyrants who ordered her death fade into obscurity.

“Kudirat’s spirit lives on, preaching justice, fairness and freedom as she spoke and stood for these ideals while she walked the earth. She went into battle for the sake of love, principles and liberty.

“Today as we fondly remember this heroine, her standard soars against base projection of power, wanton destruction, killings, kidnappings and nationwide insecurity. Human lives must be valued. Our hearts again go to Leah Sharibu and the thousands of other captives all over the country.

“The groups demanded their unconditional release and end to wanton killings, kidnappings bedeviling the nation.”

The groups also called on Nigeria’s Diaspora to take up the challenge of engaging the governments of countries around the world to ensure that their policies align with the developmental goals of the country and the need for peace.

They both poised that Law enforcement must be given the wherewithal to fully discharge their responsibilities of maintaining law and order everywhere without bias; and officers who abuse their powers must be held to account.

The human rights groups charged Nigerians in authority to keep their eyes on the prize of establishing a system that delivers for all Nigerians adding that effective governance is the only way to make the government proactive.

They also charged the government on ensuring that resources get to the people; and are not hoarded by those meant to serve them or stolen by private entities who use loopholes to deprive the country of much needed developmental resources.

The groups equally demanded economic empowerment for the poor masses.

While honouring late Kudirat, they assured “to remain committed to the defense of the rights of Nigerians to a democracy that can take on poverty, as was intended by martyrs like Kudirat Abiola, her husband, M.K.O. Abiola, and the many activists whose lives were lost in the struggle.”