Encomiums have started pouring in for the Late National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, who passed on at the age of 56.
Odumakin passed on after reportedly losing the battle to COVID-19, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo,
described Odumakin’s death as personal loss to him.
He tweeted,”Yinka’s death is a personal loss to me. Himself & the wife, Joe, have been my long-time friends & allies. I knew them separately before they met & got married. I just called the wife’s line & they’re still at the hospital. My deepest condolences to Josephine & the Odumakin family.”
Also, Former Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Jimi Agbaje, described Odumakin as a “towering patriot”.
He tweeted, “Nigeria lost a towering patriot in Yinka Odumakin. May his Lion’s soul Rest In Peace. Amen”
Human rights activist and a former Presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore,
described the departed comrade as a ‘friend and a fighter.”
“Death is a necessary end! Sad to announce this passing of a friend and fighter, Yinka Odumakin. Rest in Power, Senior Comrade!” he tweeted.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Lagos East Senatorial District Bye-Election of October 31, 2020, Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi, described Odumakin as ‘a human rights advocate with a powerful Yoruba voice.”
He also commiserated with the wife Dr. Joy Okei-Odumakin.
He tweeted, “I got the distressing news just now that my Egbon, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, a human rights advocate & a powerful Yoruba voice, passed on early this morning. My heart goes out to his humanist wife, Mrs. Joy Okei-Odumakin. May his soul find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.”
Odumakin has been widely credited for the prominent role he played in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the military regime in the country following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election won by Chief M.K.O Abiola.
NADECO was formed on May 15, 1994, by a broad coalition of Nigerian democrats who fought the military government of Sani Abacha, after the annulment.
Odumakin was also one of the spokespersons of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF), the body representing ethnic nationalities in the South-West, South-South, South-East and the Middle Belt.
He was also well known for his ‘Candid Notes’ column in the Vanguard, every Tuesday which addresses trending national issues.
The last publication of his ‘Candid Notes’ was on March 9, titled, “Decoding ‘no flight zone’ over Zamfara.”
