Odumakin dies at 59, as Buhari, Obasanjo, ACF, others mourn

The national publicity secretary of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, died Sunday.

Odumakin, a foremost activist, died of complications from COVID-19 in the early hours of Saturday. He was aged 59.

It was learnt that the late activist had been ill since March 10 and was recuperating until he suffered a relapse Saturday.

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His wife, Dr Joe Okei Odumakin, who is also an activist and founder of Women Arise, confirmed that he died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

“The sad event happened this morning (Saturday, April 3, 2021) at the intensive care unit of the LASUTH, where he was managed for respiratory issues due to complications from COVID-19, which he had recovered from about a week ago.

“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,’’ she wrote in a statement.

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 had consistently taken on the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration over alleged impartiality and favouritism in appointments into various offices.

His voice was also very loud in condemning the activities of some killers in Yorubaland.

President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, governors, the Arewa Consultative Forum and other eminent personalities and groups have mourned the death of Odumakin.

President Buhari, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, described Odumakin as dutiful and a man of conviction.

Obasanjo yesterday paid a condolence visit to the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, on the demise of the national publicity secretary of the group, describing the death as “too heavy to bear.”

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also expressed sadness over the death of the spokesman of the Pan-Yoruba group, saying their disagreement with him was mainly on principle.

The ACF, in a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, noted that while he was alive, Odumakin held on to his views very strongly despite disagreements.

Also, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Godwin Obaseki of Edo and other top political leaders, expressed sympathies over the death of Odumakin.

By Muideen Olaniyi (Abuja), Abdulateef Aliyu (Lagos), Lami Sadiq (Kaduna), Peter Moses (Ogun), Bola Ojuola (Akure) & Jeremiah Oke (Ibadan)