Yinka Odumakin, veteran journalist, human rights activist and a chieftain of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, is dead. He died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital at the age of 56, reportedly due to complications from the Covid-19 virus infection.
Reactions that have trailed news of his death since the latter was announced early Saturday indicate the celebrated social activist will be sorely missed. The consensus has coalesced around the fact that the celebrated journalist, Yinka, as he was fondly called, was very versatile and celebrated journalist, patriot and nationalist. His commitment to building a better Nigerian state, where fairness, equity and justice reigns, was unparalleled.
In his reaction to Odumakin’s death, President Muhammadu Buhari condoled with the family, friends and acquaintances of the deceased, who was until his death the long-time spokesman of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.
In a statement issued by one of his spokesmen, Buhari recalled that Odumakin was also served as Spokesman for his then-presidential campaign in 2011, when Buhari ran for President on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), now defunct.
The President recalled Odumakin as dutiful, and a person of conviction, expressing sorrow at his demise, saying he had a lot more to contribute to society and the nation at large.
Odumakin’s death was confirmed by his wife, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin. Amidst sobbing, she said she was on her way to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where her husband had passed on, declaring “part of me is gone.”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu also mourned Odumakin’s passing.
Sanwo-Olu 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 Odumakin “will not be forgotten in a hurry.” Sanwo-Olu’s words were contained in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile.
According to Sanwo-Olu, “It is with a 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. “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,” Sanwo-Olu prayed.
Other eminet Nigerians, including ex-presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, governors, ex-governors , among others, also mourned Odumakin’s passing. On his part, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who expressed shock at the news of Odumakin’s passage, commiserated with his wife, family and associates according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande. Akande said, “He prays that the Lord will comfort the family, and bless his memory always.”
The deceased’s widow and popular social activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said in a statement announcing the demise of her husband that, “A part of me is gone.” She added that her husband died after a brief illness.’’
According to her, ‘‘I appreciate the outpouring of grief and sympathy from home and abroad as I mourn my irreplaceable soul mate. I urge us all to remain steadfast in the cause of the masses to which he dedicated his life. Burial arrangement will be made public in due course.”
Obasanjo visited the acting leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, at his residence in Lagos on Saturday. Obasanjo was accompanied during the visit by a former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Akin Osuntokun.
Osuntokun said that the ex-president was saddened by the death of the activist, adding that the visit to Adebanjo was meant to console him.
Jonathan in a condolence message to the Odumakin family titled, “A Great Voice for Equity is Gone,” described the deceased as a courageous patriot and rights crusader who contributed immensely to the development of the nation.
He further noted that Odumakin was a man with rich democratic credentials who “played active roles in the years of activism that birthed and stabilised civil rule in our country.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, said Odumakin was a patriot and strong believer in the promotion of good governance, democracy and the rule of law.
In a statement he signed on Saturday, Abubakar said he, “Sympathise with all Nigerians who share these same values with Odumakin, especially the Afenifere group of which Yinka was the publicity secretary-a role he played with so much commitment and admiration. Much as our heart grieves over this unpleasant development, we must take solace in accepting it as an act of God and acknowledge the fact that Yinka lived a life of purpose in defence of the ordinary people of this country and to enthrone a better Nigeria.’’
In a condolence message on Saturday titled, “Tinubu Condoles With the Family of Yinka Odumakin,’’ the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said Nigeria’s democracy story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Odumakin.
He recalled the contributions of Odumakin to the June 12 struggle after the annulment of the election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.