Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has said that the late spokesman of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, remained a shining light even in death.

Governor Makinde stated this while paying tribute to the late Afenifere chieftain during a funeral service held at the Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro, Osun State.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, says Odumakin’s works would continue to be a shining star to light the path of generations coming, adding that the late activist always spoke truth to power.

The governor, who attended the funeral service alongside his Osun and Ekiti States counterparts, Gboyega Oyetola and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, declared that Odumakin left indelible footprints in the sands of time.

He added that those he left behind in Afenifere would carry the battle for a just society to a logical conclusion.

In their separate remarks, Ekiti and Osun States governors, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Gboyega Oyetola eulogised the late publicity secretary of the Afenifere, whom they described as a patriot.

Leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who stated that he defied Yoruba culture to enable him to “give honour to whom it is due,” said that Odumakin was a rare gem in this generation.

He explained that the late Odumakin consistently fought against injustice and political imbalance.

Pa Adebanjo urged all other Afenifere members to emulate the good virtues of Yinka Odumakin.

Earlier in his short sermon at the event, the president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, enjoined everyone to always remember that death is a reality.

He said that Comrade Odumakin devoted his life time to worship God and serve humanity, adding that the late activist, till death, remained a courageous, dogged and fearless fighter.

Dignitaries at the service include former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, chieftains of Afenifere, human rights activists as well as government functionaries from Osun, Ekiti and Oyo states.

Iyabo Adebisi