* Jonathan, Osinbajo, others mourn
* Obasanjo condoles group’s leader, Ayo Adebanjo
Dr Joe Yinka-Odumakin, wife of deceased spokesman of Pan-Yoruba group Afenifere Yinka Odumakin has stated that a big part of her is gone.
She described the late activist as an “irreplaceable soulmate”, stating he died of complications from respiratory issues due to complications from COVID-19, after she though he had recovered.
She issued a statement on Saturday saying: “With gratitude to the Supreme Being for a life well spent, I announce the passing on of my beloved husband, Comrade Yinka Odumakin to the great beyond after a brief illness.
“The sad event happened this morning (Saturday, 3/4/2021) at the intensive care unit of LASUTH where he was being 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.”
Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has paid a condolence visit to leader of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, on the demise of the National Publicity Secretary of the group.
Obasanjo visited the nonagenarian at his Lagos residence to commiserate with him.
Adebanjo had in a tweet described the death of the Afenifere spokesman as “too heavy to bear”.
Odumakin spoke tenaciously for the rights of the Yoruba and the people of the South-West geopolitical zone.
In the same vein, former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the passing of Yinka Odumakin.
In a statement on Saturday, Jonathan described Odumakin as a courageous patriot and rights crusader who contributed so much to the development of the nation.
He called Odumakin a man with rich democratic credentials. He remembered the active roles of the deceased in the years of activism that birthed and stabilised civil rule in Nigeria.
Jonathan said he was a great asset for just causes whose considerable contributions to the growth of civil society is not in doubt.
“He also acquitted himself as a seasoned journalist and columnist who promoted egalitarianism and social well-being, in his regular essays.
“Mr. Odumakin exits this world with rich democratic credentials, having played active roles in the years of activism that birthed and stabilised civil rule in our country.
“As a cultural enthusiast, Mr. Odumakin lived his short life as a force to be reckoned with in propagating and protecting the interest of the Yoruba in the larger Nigeria social space.
“This is not a time to lose such a strong promoter of the ideals that would progress our nation in the desired direction of a united, just and equitable society.”
Jonathan condoled the wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, other members of his family, the Afenifere social-cultural association and the entire civil society.
He prayed that God will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and give all that mourn him the fortitude to bear the loss.
Others who mourned Odumakin’s death included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and several more.