- As Oyetola, Makinde, Ooni, Adebanjo, Others Extol Activist’s Virtues
By Segun Amure, Abiola Olawale
The funeral rites of the late veteran human rights activist and National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere — the pan-Yoruba Socio-political organisation, Mr Yinka Odumakin, was concluded on Saturday, as his remains was committed to Mother Earth in his country home in Moro, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun state amid an ocean of tears and tributes.
The funeral rites of the late activist had began on Thursday with a Day of Tributes and Service of Songs which held at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The remains of Odumakin was received by the Osun State Government, on Friday.
The Chief of Staff, State of Osun, Dr. Charles Akinola, received the envoy conveying the body of the deceased to his country home in Moro, Osun State.
Odumakin had died of Covid-19 complications on April 2, at the critical Care unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. He was 54 at the time of his death, but left a legacy of activism, service and active public engagement that endeared him to many Nigerians as a fierce commentator on national issues.
Present at the Service of Songs which held at Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro were; Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Others are the national leader of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, federal lawmakers – Wale Raji and James Faleke, as well as former governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje.
Speaking at the somber event, Governor Oyetola described the late human rights activist as an illustrious son of Osun who has left a huge legacy behind him.
According to the Governor, Odumakin fought fiercely for the Yoruba nation adding that his relentless contributions will forever be remembered in the history books.
Oyetola described Odumakin as a phenomenal leader who impacted the lives of many without holding political office.
In his words, “It is still a trying time for us all particularly his family.
“We are pained by the death of a man who lived for the people. But we must find comfort in the truly phenomenal life he lived.
“We are indeed grateful for his life and pray God Almighty to grant his family and all of us the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. May his soul rest in perfect peace”, he added.
Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, eulogised the courageous life lived by the deceased which according to him had paved the way for the emancipation of truthfulness, equity and justice in the human race.
Makinde said, “A life lived with integrity, commitment to one’s ideals, even if such life is without fortune or fame, it will be a shining 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 shining star to light the path for us until we will 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.”
Also, leader, Afenifere Yoruba group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, described Odumakin as a true and uncompromised Awoist who lived all his life to advocate for a better Nigeria, a nation that works for all and sundry.
“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,” Adebanjo added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said even in death, the late Odumakin would remain an unforgettable nationalist.
“To us from your birth place, your ancestral, we will rather celebrate an icon that was graciously given to us by Olodumare (God). You are dead because you will forever live in our hearts. You were not only a son of Oduduwa land, you lived Oduduwa and you breathed Oduduwa,” Ooni said.
In her remarks, the wife of the deceased, Dr. Joe Odumakin, thanked the people, particularly Governor Oyetola for his uncommon support.
Others in attendance are 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; politicians, among others.
