Odumakin: Yorubaland Lost A True Fighter-Makinde
.He was a social crusader, federalist-PDP, Ekweremadu
Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the death of the National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, as a personal loss of a good brother, and a great loss to Yorubaland.
He said the news of Odumakin’s passage came as a rude shock that has left him in a sad mood and commiserated with Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, wife of the late Afenifere chieftain, the Odumakin family, members of Afenifere and the entire Yoruba nation.
Makinde described the late Afenifere spokesman as a true Yoruba son, who embodied the ethos of Omoluabi, a dogged and true fighter of the Yoruba cause and an advocate of good governance.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, added that Odumakin’s death has created a huge vacuum in Yorubaland and Nigeria.
Makinde said: “Words failed me when I received the news of the death of a wonderful brother and friend, a true Yoruba son and a true fighter of the cause of our nation, Yinka Odumakin.
“This is a personal loss to me, a huge loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria, because Odumakin, apart from being a true Yoruba son and an embodiment of the Omoluabi ethos, is an advocate of good governance and true federalism.
“I commiserate with his dear wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, the Afenifere family and the entire Yoruba nation on the death of a true son and friend of the Yoruba people and I pray to God to grant everyone of us the fortitude to bear this loss.
“While we submit to the will of Almighty God, who retains the right over the lives of every mortal, we are convinced that the values and ideals that Odumakin fought for in his lifetime have not died with him.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed shock over the death of right activist, social crusader and national publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin.
The party, in a release by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the death of Odumakin as a huge loss to the nation and particularly, the PDP, given his erudite contributions to national dialogue and relentless commitment towards the development of democratic ethos in our country.
“Odumakin was consistently focused in fighting for a nation in which the principles of equity, fairness and justice will thrive in every sphere of our national life.
“He dedicated his life as a journalist, human right activist and social crusader for improvement in every phase of the live in our country.
“Indeed, if Yinka Odumakin had the last pint of blood in his vein and there was a need to drop same for democracy to be strengthened in our country, he would have readily made it available
“Our party commiserates with his dear wife, Joe, who has also remained steadfast in fighting for human right, good governance, credible elections as well as justice, especially for the downtrodden,” the party added.
The PDP also condoled with the larger Odumakin family, the Afenifere fold as well as the civil society community and prayed to God to grant the country the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
In a related development, former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has described the late Odumakin a federalist and soldier of democracy.
Ekweremadu, in a release by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, condoled with the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, over the death of the its spokesperson, Chief Yinka Odumakin, describing it as a heavy loss, not only to the Yoruba nation, but also to the country as a whole.
The former Deputy Senate President, who expressed sadness and shock over the death, said Odumakin was a courageous leader and federalist, who worked tirelessly for a peaceful, equitable and prosperous Nigeria.
“This is hard to believe and it is a very grave loss to not only the Yoruba ethnic nationality, but also Nigeria as a whole.
“Yinka was a federalist, patriot, pan-Nigerian and a courageous leader, who longed for a peaceful, secure, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria and worked hard and tirelessly towards achieving it. He was a gallant soldier for democracy and will be remembered for his dogged battles in regard.
“It is sad that we have lost him, but it is even sadder that Nigeria is far from the egalitarian and prosperous nation he had hoped and worked for.
“My heartfelt condolences go to Joe and the family in particular as well as to the Afenifere family over the loss,” Ekweremadu said and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.
