Lifestyle

Yinka Odumakin remains a shining light – Gov. Makinde

By Web News 732

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

 

 

Lifestyle

Remains of Yinka Odumakin Arrive Osun

By Web News 720

The remains of the late spokesperson for the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin has arrived Osun for his final journey home.

The body was received at Asejire in Isokan Local Government, the border town between Osun and Oyo State by a delegation of Osun State Government led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Charles Akinola in company of ten other cabinet members.

Members of Civil Societies, activists and associates of the diseased also waited at interchange in Gbongan in Ayedaade Local Government, where the motorcade moved to Moro, in Ife North Local Government, the hometown of Late Yinka Odumakin.

At Moro, the wife, Dr Joe Odumakin who led the motorcade told the gathering that the lying in state would commence soon as well as the candle light procession.

Adenitan

 

 

 

Lifestyle

Yinka Odumakin: Funeral Announcement

By Web News 968

The family of the late activist and Afenifere spokesman, Comrade Yinka Odumakin, on Monday announced the order of his funeral rites.

According to a release signed by the widow, Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin, the rites will span three days – starting from Thursday 22nd through Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th April 2021.

Thursday 22nd April: Day of Tributes and Service of Songs at the Police College, Ikeja Lagos between 11am and 4pm while his body lies in state.

Friday 23rd April:  Body departs Lagos for Moro, his country home, in Ife North LGA of Osun State.

There will be a Candle light procession on Friday, taking off from the Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro, Osun State by 6pm.

Saturday 24th April: Lying in State at Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro by 8am, followed by a Funeral Service by 10am, after which his remains will be committed to Mother Earth at a private interment.

DrJoe Okei – Odumakin.

Lifestyle

Odumakin’s gave irrepressible critical views about Nigeria – Gov. Yahaya Bello

By Web News 952

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello says the late spokesperson of the Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere Mr Yinka Odumakin lived a life of passion and dedicated service.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Muhammed Onogwu described the late Odumakin as an activist, democrat and nationalist who was dedicated to pursuing and sustaining the interest and ideology of the Yoruba race, a cause he held with obstinate passion and at heart with unrelenting convictions. 

He said his progressive interest was not just restricted to his people as he had always been at the forefront of canvassing for good governance, national integration and quality leadership, stressing that Odumakin used the platform available to him to preach and live an ideology of one Nigeria. 

The Kogi State Governor stated that Odumakin would be greatly missed for his vast intellectual prowess and irrepressible critical views about the state of the nation as he was truly a remarkable icon whose desire was the emergence of a better and greater Nigeria for all. 

Governor Bello condoled with the family, associates, and friends of the late Odumakin as well as the entire Yoruba race over the demise of a worthy son who lived a life of passion, cause and dedicated service. 

The Governor prayed for God to grant him eternal rest while he also asked for strength for those deeply grieved by his sudden death to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Olaolu Fawole

Lifestyle

NASS Member Wole Oke Mourns Yinka Odumakin

By Web News 752

The member representing Obokun Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the National Assembly, Dr Busayo Oluwole Oke has described the demise of renowned Nigerian rights activist, social critic and Afenifere Spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin as a painful loss to the nation.

 Dr Oke made this known in a statement he personally issued in Abuja today.

He said late Odumakin’s antecedents as a rugged fighter for the country’s democracy and absolute commitment to ensuring Nigeria becomes a first class nation, was apparent to all.

While describing the deceased as a hater of oppression and a thorn in the flesh of tyrants, he further noted he was always at the forefront of the common good of Nigerians and the country.

Dr Oluwole Oke recalled that the late Odumakin was a strong voice that continually championed the freedom of vast Nigerian citizens from the yoke of oppressive elements in government, expressing grief at his demise, as he still had a lot to offer to make Nigeria great.

He prayed that God Almighty in his infinite mercies should grant the repose of the deceased’s soul and provide strength for family, friends and acquaintances mourning him.

Folake Oye

Lifestyle

Late Odumakin was an indefatigable human rights activist – Gov. Abiodun

By Web News 843

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that spokesperson of the Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, late Yinka Odumakin lived a good life and fought a good fight to defend defenceless Nigerians.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kunle Somorin, Governor Abiodun declared that the Southwest had lost a courageous human rights activist and fearless public commentator.

He noted that late Odumakin championed the cause of Southwest and promoted the ideals of the late sage and premier of the defunct Western Region, Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. 

Governor Abiodun, said that the late journalist would be remembered for his timely response to national issues, particularly issues that affected the Southwest.

The Governor described the death of late Odumakin as painful and  pointed out that the deceased and his wife were always at the forefront of protest against oppressive government policies

While commiserating with his immediate family, the Afenifere and the Southwest, Governor Abiodun prayed for the repose of his soul. 

Bolanle Adesida

Lifestyle

President Buhari Mourns Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin

By Web News 573

President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with the family, friends and acquaintances of Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.

Odumakin was also spokesman to the then Gen Buhari in 2011, when he ran for President on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), now defunct.

The President recalls Odumakin as dutiful, and a person of conviction, expressing sorrow at his demise, when he had a lot more to contribute to society and the nation at large.

President Buhari prays God to grant repose to the soul of the departed activist, and comfort all those who mourn him.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

April 3, 2021

Lifestyle

Reactions Trail Late Yinka Odumakin’s Demise

By Web News 605

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

Lifestyle

BREAKING: Afenifere Spokesman Yinka Odumakin is Dead

By Web News 755

Yinka Odumakin, the political activist and publicity secretary of the Pan-Yoruba political group, Afenifere is dead.

He was aged 56.

An online news platform, Q.E.D, first reported his death.

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 shocked wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin confirmed the death of her husband.

She said he died at the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

A fellow activist Bunmi Omoseyindemi confirmed the news.

PM News