More than 50 new homes named after a young Nigerian man who died trying to rescue a woman from the Thames have been officially unveiled in south London, United Kingdom.
Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, was on his way home from work in April 2021 when, around midnight, he went into the water after seeing a woman fall from London Bridge. The woman and another man who had also jumped in to rescue her were saved by the coastguard and marine police.
Unfortunately, Mr. Olubunmi-Adewole, fondly called Jimi, could not be found, and his body was recovered about six hours later.
The Folajimi Apartments, located on Alexis Street in south Bermondsey, have been named in his honour, BBC reported on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
Of the 56 flats, 26 are owned by Southwark Council.
Mr. Olubunmi-Adewole’s family and local councillors, including Helen Dennis, attended the official opening last week. Ms. Dennis described the event as “a great honour.”
In a post on X, she added, “Jimi was such a brave young man and we hope these new homes will be a fitting tribute to his heroic life.”
At the inquest into Mr. Olubunmi-Adewole’s death, the coroner remarked, “The courage to jump to help a complete stranger in the Thames at night is quite astonishing. Many of us would like to think we would do the same in that situation, but few of us would have the courage and determination.”
