…As Group Says He Has Left A Vacuum
By Akinwale Kasali
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passage of the National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin. He passed away in the early hours of Saturday aof COVID-19 complications.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, described the late human rights and pro-democracy activist, as a great nationalist, passionate leader and champion of a true Nigeria that would work for every citizen.
He said the Afenifere spokesman lived a selfless life, adding that Yinka Odumakin will not be forgotten in a hurry.
“It is with deep sense of sorrow but with a heart full of gratitude to God for a good life spent by the late Yinka Odumakin that I write to commiserate with the family, friends and associates of the late Yinka Odumakin.
“Odumakin was undoubtedly a great nationalist, passionate leader and champion of a true Nigeria that would work for every citizen.
“Odumakin as civil rights activist was selfless. He spent the greater part of his life in the service of humanity, particularly the emancipation of the Yoruba people, the development of the South West region in particular and the nation in general.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also stated that Odumakin “stood firmly behind the attainment of constitutional democracy and fiscal federalism as the basis for sustainable development and lifting the masses out of poverty.”
“As spokesman for the Afenifere, Odumakin made his mark and became a reference point as major voice for the development of the Yoruba race. He will surely be missed.
“I personally followed the late Odumakin and found his principled position and capacity to speak truth to power as crucial for Nigeria’s political and economic development.”
The Governor also condoled with the wife of the deceased, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Afenifere and the entire Yoruba race over the death of the civil rights activist.
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Lagos State, I hereby express my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, particularly his wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, the Afenifere and the entire Yoruba race over the loss of Yinka Odumakin.
“May God grant his departed soul eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed”.
In the same vein, a Group, Centre for Truth and Liberty, CTL, mourns the death of Comrade Odumakin, the Publicity Secretary of the apex Yoruba Socio-Cultural and Political Organisation; AFENIFERE.
In a Statement signed by Olusesan Samaiye and Francis Abayomi, the Executive Director and the Communication Director of the Group, it said Odumakin was resolute, dogged and committed to the cause of the masses till the last day. He was a rallying point; a dependable bridge between the young and the old. Comrade Odumakin was a committed ally of ethnic nationality leaders across Nigeria.
“It is to the eternal credit of Comrade Odumakin that while he was committed to the cause of a united Nigeria on the basis of justice, equity and fairness, he never succumbed to juvenile blackmail and in the process abandoned or betrayed the interest of his Yoruba nationality group within the context of Nigerian project.
“As Afenifere media anchor, Comrade Odumakin took the punches and endured misrepresentations with equanimity. He was committed to the ideals of making Nigeria a great country as much as he pursued justice, fairness and equity for the Yoruba nation without prejudice to the interest of other ethnic nationality groups.
“We at CTL regret the departure of our dear brother, comrade and humanist at this inauspicious time. Our thoughts are with his wife; the tireless Comrade (Dr) Joe Okei-Odumakin and the immediate family. Comrade Odumakin has left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
“We celebrate his modest contributions to the liberation struggle of the Nigerian people. We regret his departure at a time Afenifere, Yoruba nation and the good people of Nigeria crave for cadre-ship with dedication, steadfastness and presence of mind in the mould of Comrade Yinka Odunakin.
“We pray that GOD Almighty rest his soul!”
Odumakin who died Saturday, March 3, was the Spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari when he ran for President in 2011 under the CPC.
