Fare Thee Well Comrade Yinka Odumakin – Sen. Ibikunle Amosun
I join our Countrymen and women to mourn the departure of our brother, Comrade Yinka Odumakin, the spokesman for the frontline Yoruba group, the Afenifere. I also condole his widow, our sister, Dr Joe Okei Odumakin, the children, his aged parents, the Afenifere Family and numerous Civil Society Organisations left behind to mourn his demise.
From the outpouring of grief, encomiums and tributes from all corners of the world, Nigeria, and, particularly from his Southwest stock, there is agreement that Yinka led a life of courage, conviction and dedication to causes he believed in. He was dogged, consistent and persistent. He pursued the fine ideals of activism, democracy, freedom and good governance for the benefit of majority of Nigerians till his last breath. His life and times were doted with visible accomplishments and legacies that seemed to belie his age. Although we had our differences, Yinka and I shared the ideals of a better Nigeria and we met on several occasions to engage and interrogate on these ideals. I particularly recall the strong collaboration between the Odumakins, the NGO and Ogun State Government during the yearly June 12 Memorial activities while I served as Governor of the State. Yinka will be sorely missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin, their children, his aged parents, the entire Odumakin family and the Afenifere Group. I beseech the Almighty God to comfort them on all sides. I also pray that God will forgive whatever mortal shortcomings that our late brother had, and, for his soul to find rest at the bosom of his Creator.
Fare Thee Well, Yinka.
Senator Ibikunke Amosun, CON, FCA
3rd April, 2021
