IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Olorunrinu Oduala better known as Savvy Rinu, is the executive project director of HuBNGR, a platform that documents, defends and advocates against state violence and police brutality in Nigeria.
She is a Human Rights advocate, community organizer and influencer focused primarily on issues of equity, justice, humanity and community advancement.
Rinu was walking on the streets of Lagos with her kid brother of about ten years old one day when some SARS officials on their black jacket pulled up in a bus right in front of them, causing a lot of people on that street to run for their lives except her who stood there.
The officers came down from the vehicle and began harassing a young man who had gone to buy food, throwing his food on the floor, and the young man kept asking what he had done.
Instead of getting a civil explanation, he received numerous slaps and beatings as response, and this got Rinu so hurt and wishing that her brother never has such an experience.
Spurred by police brutality in Nigeria and beyond, Rinu became a key player in the work to confront the systems and structures that have led to mass incarceration and police killings of Nigerians.
Rinu Oduala was among tens of thousands of young Nigerians, including many women, who made history with the protests that swept the country in October 2020, against police brutality.
The 24-year-old was one of the first to take to the streets after a video went viral of a man allegedly being killed by the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad, sparking what became known as the EndSars demonstrations.
She set up camp outside the Lagos governor’s office on 7 October, demanding the police unit be disbanded.
Born on 1 November, 1998 and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, she holds a diploma from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and studies Chemistry at the Lagos State University, Nigeria.
As a media strategist, she knows how to rally people on social media to join her – organizing blankets for people who ended up sleeping outside the state government buildings for 72 hours before police attacked them.
She is one of several women who shook the Nigerian establishment to its core for six weeks.
Rinu was also one of the youth representatives on the panel set up in the wake of the EndSARS protests and months later, she boldly stepped down from the panel.
The Lagos resident reportedly said her views were not reflected on in the panel’s ruling as regards the return of the tollgate to the control of Lekki Concession Company (LCC), while openly declaring that she will not be part of a cover up.
Rinu is not just an #EndSARS convener, she is also the convener of Operation Sanitise.
Operation Sanitise is a movement that spanned across several cities in Nigeria, providing hand sanitizers to Nigerians during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2020, while uncertainty filled the air about the Coronavirus, she volunteered to produce hand sanitizers for Nigerians’ safety.
She galvanized members of the public to donate and contribute to securing the needed materials.
The initial target was to prepare 10,000 bottles of sanitizers, but this target was surpassed and extended beyond Lagos to Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Benue and the FCT, and led to the donation of over 20,000 free hand-sanitizers.
In February 2021, Rinu was honored by United Nations, as her face was on UN for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.
She is the winner of Woman of the year, Advocacy, Her Economy 2022 and Woman of the year, Advocacy, HerNetwork, 2021 and has been nominated for Future Awards Africa, Prize for Advocacy and Activism.
She has been nominated for LLA’s 2021 #100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria, part of NBC Washington 31 Women creating a positive impact in Africa.
Rinu is also one of the royal awardees of the Royal African Young Leadership Award 2022, and one of 2020 100 most influential Nigerians.
She is one of 100 Most Influential People, Africa, one of BBC Nigerian Women Leading the Fight for Change, and one of BBC Africa’s influential women of 2020, CAHR Aminu Kano award for Leadership.
Rinu is the face on United Nations for Peace, Justice and Dignity, Most Influential Voices in Nigerian Politics YNaija, SERAS Africa’s Top influencer for social good 2021, a mentor at Dweebs Global, and a fellow at ICFJ Knight Fellowship.