Mrs. Sariyu Akanmu, the fufu seller that was battered by police over her participation in the protest organised by the RevolutionNow group, has received N50,000 from a foundation, Idera De Movement.
The foundation donated the sum to the 70-year-old on Sunday in Osogbo.
Sariyu Akanmu from Agboyele Compound was hawking fufu on the streets of Osogbo, Osun State capital when she ran into members of RevolutionNow, who were protesting at Fagbewesa junction and joined them.
After almost two hours of protest, security operatives forcefully dispersed the protesters and arrested seven members of the group.
Sariyu, when the security operatives descended on the protesters, was beaten and a policeman hit her in the waist with the butt of his gun, before journalists at the scene rescued her.
According to the foundation, the money donated to the 70-year old Sariyu should be used to seek proper medical attention.
A director in the Idera De Movement, Mr. Funsho Babarinde, who handed the money to Sariyu on behalf of Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, the founder of the foundation, said the septuagenarian displayed uncommon courage by her action on the day of the protest.
Babarinde said,
“When we first read the report on Tuesday in The PUNCH, many of us did not truly appreciate the heroics displayed by this woman.
“But Saturday PUNCH followed the story up with another interview with the woman. The truth is, many Nigerians don’t have her courage. As a foundation, the least we could do is to appreciate her. Our principal, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi would have personally presented this, but because he was not around, he directed we should give her a sum of N50,000. We are giving the money for her to be able to seek proper medicare.
“In the interview, she granted Saturday PUNCH, the poor woman said she heard the protesters singing about the suffering of the masses and because she was also suffering, she dropped her tray and joined the protest.”
He urged security operatives in the country to adopt a more civil way of handling protest, saying using force against a 70-year old harmless protester was unwarranted.
Responding, Mrs. Akanmu, who spoke in Yoruba expressed appreciation to Idera De Foundation for the financial support.
