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 the Yoruba race.
Makinde, who stated that the news of Odumakin’s passage came as a rude shock that has left him in a sad mood, commiserated with Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, wife of the late Afenifere chieftain, the Odumakin family, members of Afenifere and the entire Yoruba nation.
He 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.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as adding that Odumakin’s death has created a huge vacuum in Yorubaland and Nigeria.
The governor 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.”
Also, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State says Odumakin’s death was a great loss to the nation.
Ortom, in a statement on Saturday signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Terver Akase, said that Nigeria had lost a great patriot, describing Odumakin’s demise as “shocking and quite painful”.
Ortom said that the demised of Odumakin was the end of an illustrious career marked by objectivity and patriotism.
He stated that Odumakin was a voice of reason and a respected human rights activist whose contributions during the days of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), leading to the country’s return to civil rule in 1999 would always be remembered.
He consoled the deceased’s family, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF), as well as friends and associates of Odumakin while praying God to grant him eternal rest.
Governor of The State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, also commiserated with Afenifere over Odumakin’s demise.
Oyetola in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, also condoled the wife of the deceased, Dr. Joe Odumakin, his children and the entire family.
He described Odumakin’s death as a great loss to Yorubaland and the nation at large, noting that his contributions to the enthronement and growth of democracy in Nigeria would not be forgotten.
According to the Governor, the late activist was an advocate of justice, fairness, good governance and a better Nigeria.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and good people of the State of Osun, I commiserate with the Afenifere Group over the demise of Mr. Yinka Odumakin. I also condole his wife, Dr. Joe, his children and the entire Odumakin family over this tragic occurrence.
“The death of Mr Yinka Odumakin is a great loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. His contributions to the enthronement and growth of democracy in the country will never be forgotten.
“It is my prayer that God Almighty will comfort his family and loved ones and grant his soul eternal rest.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential Candidate in the 2019 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed deep pain over the death of Odumakin.
Describing it as a personal loss in view of his closeness to Odumakin and his wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Obi said in a statement on Saturday evening: “Yinka was one of the most committed change agents in Nigeria.
“I never met him or his wife without talking about how to bring about a better Nigeria. I feel pained by his death and my heart goes out to his family, especially my dear sister, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin.”
Obi, while condoling with Afenefere and all those he left behind, said: “I am sure he died a sad man, sadness not in terms of being regretful of his personal life nor the extent of his accomplishments, but in terms of being weighed down, as surely as all patriotic Nigerians are, by the ugly development in Nigeria that has made life seem hopeless.”
Obi prayed to God to grant Yinka Odumakin eternal rest and his wife and all loved ones the courage to bear the irreplaceable loss.
