N54Million Raised in 2 Days for Heroic Nigerian Boy who died Trying to Save Drowning Woman in River Thames

Matilda Omonaiye/

Within the first two days, a total of £102,737 (more than N54.1 million) has been raised through GoFundMe in support of the family of a 20-year-old Nigerian boy, Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, who died when he dived into the Thames to save a lady that fell from London Bridge into the river.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the fundraiser was organized by Malcolm World Foundation.

Authorities in Nigeria and the UK have described Folajimi as a Hero.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, tweeted that he “was the best of us”.

Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa has described Folajimi as ‘our hero and a great martyr’.

In a statement by the Commission’s Head of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the NIDCOM boss, while condoling with the family, said although deeply pained by the death of the young Nigerian trying to save someone else’s life, he is a hero that will never be forgotten.

She called on Folajimi’s family to be consoled with the fact that he died as a fearless hero and will be forever remembered as a martyr.

Dabiri-Erewa prayed unto God to allow Folajimi‘s soul to rest and comfort his aged parents, family, and friends in the best manner.

“This is a very painful and sad incident for a young promising Jimi to die this way sacrificing his life.

“Undoubtedly, Jimi with this courageous and selfless act has earned himself the sobriquet of a hero and attained the highest form of death, martyrdom,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.

The late Folajimi was on his way home from work when he saw a woman that fell off London Bridge on Saturday.

He and another man entered the water at around midnight on Saturday in a bid to rescue her.

The woman and the other man were rescued by the Coastguard and the Metropolitan Police’s marine unit – but Jimi wasn’t found after an extensive search.

Folajimi’s parents, 63-year-old Mr Michael Adewole and Mrs Olasunkanmi Adewole, 54, have been left heartbroken.

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