Odumakin eulogized as “leader of conscience and one of the finest human right leaders,” Ife-Moro Rd. renamed after him
Mr Charles Akinola, the Chief of Staff to Osun Governor, has said that the death of Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere’s Spokesman, is a great loss to Nigeria.
Akinola, who represented Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola, spoke while receiving Odumakin’s remains at Asejire, the boundary between Osun and Oyo States.
He said: “Our brother, an illustrious son of Osun, was one of the finest. “He was not just a nationalist, he was a fine Yoruba nationalist”, he said.
“Odumakin was not just a leader of conscience, he was one of the finest human right leaders.
In her response, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, the widow said, “Here is Yinka’s corpse, he is my friend, comrade, my soul mate and husband; in fact, I am his part. If I come back to this world over and over, I will get married to him.
“We are grateful to Osun State for the great reception at this sober moment. “When a spokesperson stops speaking, you know how heavy it is, but our consolation is that Yinka’s ideals and legacies live forever.
“He was a human rights fighter and what he fought for will forever remain unquenched”, she said.
The Coalition of Osun Civil Society also received Odumakin’s remains at Gbongan, headquarters of Aiyedaade Local Government Area.
At Odumakin’s country home in Moro, his relatives, indigenes of the state and close associates received his corpse with wailing.
Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on the occasion, named Ife-Moro road after the late Afenifere Spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin.
The Ooni who was represented by Kemade Elugbade, at the funeral service of Odumakin in Moro, described the late Afenifere chieftain as an unforgettable patriotic descendant of Oduduwa and a positive factor in Nigeria’s democracy.
He said: “Odumakin’s death was a rude shock when Yoruba nation in particular and Nigeria at large needed him.
“The news of his demise was a very bitter pill to swallow for the entire country and to us particularly in the House of Oduduwa.
“He was a disciplined Yoruba leader who has been one of the loudest pro-democracy voices in the country,” he said.
Several high-profile individuals in government, civil society and the Nigerian community attended the interment of the deceased.
Members of the government delegation at the event included the Head of Service, Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade; Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan.
Others were the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr Lekan Badmus, Commissioner for Political Affairs and Inter-governmental Relations, Mr Taiwo Akeju and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Siji Olamijulo.