It was an afternoon of praises for the late Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, as the rites for his funeral commenced in Lagos on Thursday.
Odumakin died on April 2 of COVID-19 complications.
Speaking at the service of songs and tribute ceremony held at Police College, Ikeja, on Thursday, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said despite his pro-Yoruba leanings, Odumakin was interested in a Nigeria where equity is the norm.
“He espoused what he stood for. He wanted the best for Nigeria. He wanted the best for the Yoruba nation, and he was completely detribalised. He used his voice to advance the needs of the voiceless,” Sanwo-Olu said.
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“Until the very end, he kept working, speaking for a Nigeria that we can all be proud of — a Nigeria that’ll be land of justice; a Nigeria that’ll be fair; a Nigeria where equity is the watchword; a Nigeria that’ll truly reflect modern federalism. He was a fighter who fell in his prime.”
On his part, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, praised Odumakin’s courage and integrity.
“My knowledge of him was based on admiration — admiration of his qualities, what he stood for, what he represents and who he was,” Gbajabiamila said.
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“When you talk about courage, I’m not sure that we can count any whose name will come before Yinka Odumakin. There lies a man of courage. There lies a man of integrity. There lies a true democrat — a man who stood for truth and nothing else.”
Also present at the event were Ibikunle Amosun, former governor of Ogun state and senator representing Ogun central; Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra; and Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
Odumakin will be buried in Moro, his hometown in Osun state, on Saturday.
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