Reactions have began to pour in on the demise of the foremost human rights activists and Publicity Secretary of pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin.

Speaking, Secretary General, Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr. Kunle Olajide who noted that the late Yinka Odumakin lived his life to fight for justice, said his death was a huge loss to Nigeria and the Yoruba nation.

On his part, Secretary Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mr. Olusegun Abatan, expressed shock and described the deceased Afenifere spokesperson as a selfless man.

President-General, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, Mr Banji Awa, who chronicled the Late Odumakin’s days as student activist at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife described the deceased as a goal getter.

Odumakin reportedly died of complications from COVID-19.

He was said to have been battling underlying conditions such as diabetes before the COVID-19 attack.

His wife, Dr. Josephine Okei-Odumakin, also an activist, who confirmed her husband’s death disclosed he had been ill since March 10 and was recuperating, but a respiratory failure occurred.

Late Yinka Odumakin died at the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

Until his death in the early hours of Saturday, Late Yinka Odumakin was a voice to reckon with in the struggles for emancipation of Yoruba people.

Besides being a renowned human rights activist, Odumakin was an avid public commentator.

He played a key role in the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO’s struggle for restoration of democracy against the regime of General Sanni Abacha following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

Late Odumakin was also a prominent face in the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF.

The SMBLF is a body comprising ethnic nationalities from the Southwest, South-South, South-East and the Middle Belt.

Dayo Adu