Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday led other top dignitaries, which included the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila and Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in urging Nigerians to uphold the legacy and struggle of the late National Publicity Secretary of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin.
Sanwo-Olu and others spoke at the lying-in-state, day of tributes and service of songs at Police College, Ikeja as parts of the funeral rites for the late human rights activist.
The lying-in-state, day of tributes and service of songs was attended by Mr. Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to Governor Sanwo-Olu; former governors – Peter Obi (Anambra), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun).
Others were ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; a former Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforijin, Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland Chief Gani Adams, Pastor Ituah Ighadalo of Trinity House Church, Afenifere chieftains, politicians and human rights activists among others.
Sanwo-Olu urged “comrades of like minds” not to abruptly end what Yinka Odumakin believed, stood and worked for during his life time.
The governor also told them to keep working hard for a Nigeria that will be land of justice, fairness and where equity would become the watchword and reflect true federalism.
He said: “Yinka was one-half of the most formidable couple that we have seen in our history and the other half is his beloved wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who now sadly has to continue this struggle without her husband, fellow comrade and big friend that I know he is to her. My sister, you will continue to push on strongly in the trenches.”
Adebanjo, who shed tears uncontrollably while paying tributes to his organisation’s spokesman, said Odumakin is an irreplaceable material.
Adebanjo, who broke the barrier of culture to attend the funeral rites, urged human rights activists to continue in the spirit of Odumakin, by being courageous and fearless if they truly love the deceased.
“I am not God, I am a human being. There is nothing impossible for God to do but as a human being, I will say it will be difficult to replace Yinka. Where can we find a young man of his age, not materialistic pursuing a cause he believes in selflessly, courageously, relentlessly and consistently? Yinka, God knows you are a blessing to Nigeria,” he said.
