We regret to announce the demise of one of our founders, a Member of the Board of Trustees and Pillar of our great Party,
Francis Toluleke Akinlotan (Umar Sokoto), who passed away Friday 8th April 2022, at 40 years old. He was born on 2nd April, 1982, in Sokoto State. He was survived by aged parents, wife and two children.
Francis was selfless, committed, loyal, and an integral member of the leadership of our Party. He traveled the length and breadth of Nigeria in the course of propagating the ideology of our great Party: recruiting members, conducting inductions, organizing screenings, primary elections, and many others. He was a detribalized Nigerian: an exemplary symbol of One Nigeria.
Mr. Francis Akinlotan attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, where he obtained LLB. Law (Second Class Upper Division) between 2001 and 2007. He proceeded to Nigeria Law School, Kano Campus, where he also graduated with Second Class Upper Division in the year 2008. He is also a Graduate, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK and a Member of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
He was an activist student as he served in different capacity ranging from Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students, Nigerian Law School (2007 – 2008), Speaker, Law Students Representative, Council, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (2006 – 2007) and Public Relations Officer, Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (2005 – 2007).
He started his career as an intern at the Ministry of Justice, Lagos (March 2007 – May 2007), then worked as an intern as part of the requirement for Law School attachment at W.K. Shittu & Co. Lagos. He was an associate and NYSC member at Shina Agbesusi & Co. (Legal Practitioners) between October 2008 and July 2009. Also an associate at Jite Olatunbode & Co. (Legal Practitioners), between October 2009 and December 2009 and Nextzon Businesss Services Limited (February 2010 to August 2010). At New Resource Perfekta Group he was a Legal Adviser and Business Development Officer(September 2010 till date). He started as an Associate at Probitas Partner in 2010 and rose to the position of a Partner.
Francis’ selfless nature made him offer pro bono legal services to indigent and seemingly innocent inmates, whose circumstances have kept them in jail. Through this he was able to successfully ensure the acquittal of an inmate standing murder trial who had been held for over seven (7) years but had never been charged to Court.
At Youth Party, he combined his excellent research and analytical skills to lead conversations that advocate policies that support growth and development in the country. He engaged in uncountable trips across the Country for the Party, regular Courts appearance, visits to INEC office pre-registration and post-registration, late night meetings and financial contributions all for the success of the Party. He was an energetic grassroots mobilizer and political orator and campaigner per excellence.
Francis will be sorely missed by our Party and Nigeria. May his patriotic and selfless soul Rest in Perfect Peace. The condolence registers are available at our HQ in Abuja and our Lagos office. He will be buried in Lagos on Wednesday, 20th April, 2022
He is survived by aged parents, wife, children, siblings, and numerous associates across Nigeria
Funeral Arrangements
Youth Party Tributes
Sunday, 17th April,2022
Time: 4pm
Location: Lagos Office and Virtual (https://bit.ly/YouthPartyforFrancis )
Service of Songs
St Anthony Catholic Church
AIT Road, Alagbado, Lagos
Monday, 18th April,2 022
Time:7pm
Funeral Mass
Tuesday, 19th April,2022
Church of Assumption
Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Time: 10am
Interment follows immediately at
Ikoyi Cemetery
You can leave your tribute at https://francisakinlotan.muchloved.com/
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