The remains of the late spokesman of Afenifere, the pan Yoruba socio-political group, Yinka Odumakin, was laid to rest on Saturday in his hometown, Moro, Osun State, amidst encomiums from Yoruba leaders.
Odumakin died on April 3, 2021, following complications from COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking during the funeral, leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, said Odumakin lived all his life to advocate for a better Nigeria.
According to him, “As a politician, as an activist and public analyst, Yinka was a born-democrat.
“He must be praised, for the work he had done for Yorubaland, Nigeria and the progressive world cannot be quantified.”
Also in his tribute, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said the
late Odumakin would never be forgotten because of his nationalist struggle.
He said though Odumakin is dead, but he will live forever “in our hearts.”
“You were not only a son of Oduduwa land, you lived Oduduwa and you breathed Oduduwa,” the traditional ruler said.
Also in his remarks, the Osun state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, said with Odumakin’s death, Nigeria and Osun, had lost a fearless fighter and a crusader of a new Nigeria.
According to the governor, Odumakin left behind a legacy of inspirational service, fierce loyalty to the Yoruba race and relentless contributions to the quest for a greater nation.
“He did not live a wasted life. He was an illustrious son of Osun and a man of deep conviction who constantly fought for what is right, just, and equitable.
“He simply lived for the people. He was a phenomenal leader, who, without holding public office, impacted us in unique ways.
Oyetola, “We must not sorrow like those who do not have hope. We must find comfort in the truly phenomenal life he lived. We should rejoice, knowing Odumakin has left for a better place.
“He has left for us on this side of humanity a legacy of inspirational service, fierce loyalty to the Yoruba race and relentless contributions to the quest for a greater nation.
“We are indeed grateful for his life. It is our fervent prayer that the good Lord grant his dearly-beloved family and all of us the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Also speaking, the Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, commended the virtues of the deceased, describing him as “an unapologetic leader to Yoruba nation’s agenda.”
Fayemi said, “Odumakin was unapologetic to Yoruba nation’s agenda and he was not a secessionist. He always cleared the path to progress, he made great impact towards the progress and development of our country.
“Yinka’s departure has given a great legacy, the legacy of speaking truth and legacy of unrelenting campaign for the restructuring of our country.
“As we all know, this country needs rescue from the evil merchants who want to drag it down. That is what our brother, the late Odumakin stood for all his life right from his days at the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University.
“We must not succumb to the merchant of division, we must not succumb to the merchant of secession and all calculated to bring this country down, that is all we can do to keep the memory of Odumakin.
“On behalf of our Chairman, Southwest Governors Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who would have loved to be here, and the entire governors, I affirm that we will continue to pursue the courage of conviction, the determination not to give up, the pursuit of restructuring and all that Yinka stood for until we have a new Nigeria”.
Also in his remarks, Oyo State governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, praised the courageous life lived by Odumakin which he said, had paved the way for the emancipation of truthfulness, equity and justice in the human race.
“A life lived with integrity, commitment to one’s ideals, even if such life is without fortune or fame, it will be a shinning star to light the path of others that are coming behind, and that is what the deceased–Yinka Odumakin — did for this generation.
“The ideals he lived for, the ideal to a new course, the struggle will forever be the shinning star to light the path for us until we get the type of country that we deserve, and that himself and other comrades laboured for.
He had done his own work for the rest of us to continue from it”, Makinde said.
The wife of the deceased, Dr. Joe Odumakin, expressed gratitude to the people, particularly, to the Osun state governor for the tremendous support to the family.
The funeral was attended by former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, members of the Afenifere Yoruba group, human rights activists, members of the Civil Society Organisations, traditional rulers, top government functionaries and politicians, among others.
