He wasn’t simply an activist however a pan-Nigerian who desired to see Nigeria get up and take her rightful place among the many comity of countries. Such have been the hopes and aspirations of Comrade Yinka Odumakin till demise got here calling 5 years in the past. His legacies, nevertheless, have by no means dwindled since then; SUNNY IDACHABA studies.
Peter Oluyinka Odumakin, popularly often called Yinka Odumakin, who died in 2021, was, till his demise, the spokesperson of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere.
Aside from that, he was a human rights activist and politician. Even although he by no means actually occupied any political workplace all through his lifetime; he labored intently with politicians at some factors.
For occasion, he was the spokesman to Muhammadu Buhari when the latter contested for the Presidential Election underneath the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011. Also, in 2014, throughout the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Yinka and his spouse, Joe-Okey, have been the one couple that represented totally different curiosity teams among the many 492-member 2014 National Conference.
It was his activism that took him and his spouse collectively to a detention facility at Alagbon. This was after Joe-Okey, additionally an activist, was transferred from Ilorin Prison to Alagbon resulting from her involvement in a professional-democracy marketing campaign.
In the darkish days of navy rule, exactly underneath the late Gen. Sani Abacha, the late Odumakin was amongst different eminent Nigerians that shaped the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a professional-democracy group made up of various individuals from totally different components of the nation. NADECO was on the forefront within the combat to revive democracy within the nation.
He was a powerful advocate of democratic ideas, rule of legislation and good governance within the nation. He fought tirelessly for marginalised communities and was vocal towards oppression, injustice and corruption.
While alive, he was identified for talking out towards authoritarianism and abuse of energy, even at his personal private security. He mentored many younger activists and journalists, constructed coalitions and alliances amongst civil society teams, political events and ethnic organisations with a view to selling democracy and human rights.
This late spokesperson of Afenifere was a proud promoter of Yoruba tradition and id as he labored in the direction of selling and preserving the language, its traditions and values.
Reacting to his sudden demise, a Vanguard editorial with the title, ‘Yinka Odumakin: A life of critical activism’ famous that shock and outpouring of grief have been the rapid responses of many Nigerians to the demise of the comrade.
The editorial learn partially: “Since his death was announced, there has been a torrent of tributes from different parts of the country. From President Muhammadu Buhari to former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, to various state governors, other prominent political and opinion leaders across the country, the verdict remains the same: his death is a tragic blow, a sad loss to the country.”
According to the paper, he had variously been described by pals and foes alike as an important patriot and nationalist, with many expressing regrets that Covid-19 had unfairly robbed the nation of his extremely valued contributions and providers at a time they have been most wanted.
“He was an unrepentant critic of a troubled Nigeria and the management accountable for this unhappy state of affairs. Comrade Yinka was for a few years within the forefront of agitations to appropriate the various structural anomalies inherent within the nation, leaving it nearly prostrate and in peril of collapsing on itself,’ it acknowledged.
The paper famous that as a prepared mouthpiece of Afenifere, he was by no means afraid to step on delicate toes of these in authority for failing to reply appropriately to many management issues confronting Nigeria.
Continuing, the every day acknowledged that, “Until his demise, he was a vibrant and relentless voice on the necessity to restructure the nation in order that it could actually discover its bearing among the many comity of countries which can be creating at a fast tempo whereas Nigeria lags behind.
“He never missed the opportunity to bare his mind on sundry issues bordering on politics, power and the economy. In the process, he kept government and public office holders constantly on their toes, hoping to get them to do the right things for the country.”
While mourning the comrade, former aviation minister, Mr. Fani-Kayode, described him as one of many brightest and the very best. According to him, “He was an important warrior who feared nothing and who stood for reality and justice proper to the top. The South-west and certainly Nigeria has misplaced considered one of its biggest sons and brightest stars.
“Those of us who had the honour of being called your brother and who stood by you shoulder-to- shoulder through the most trying times for our people and the bitterest battles for the emancipation of our nation shall miss you dearly. You were a Spartan and a Roman all rolled into one in every sense of the word.”
Kayode stayed additional that, “An awesome son of the west who impressed tens of millions, who made us happy with who we’re and what we stand for, who humbled our collective adversaries and who harboured no concern. Your legacies are actually blessed and wrapped in glory and shall certainly endure.
“The whole of Nigeria mourns you brother. You fought a good fight, you held the line, you stayed the course and now it is time for you to rest.”
Jimi Agbaje, a protracted-standing pal of the late comrade, lamented that, “Yinka couldn’t have died now. That was not the plan. Yinka had solely achieved 1% of what he deliberate to do. It explains why he was at all times centered on what he thought of essential and why he refused to take a break. He by no means took credit score for something as a result of, in his personal pondering, quite a bit was nonetheless left to be carried out.
“Since his demise, I’ve had an avalanche of commiserations from those that knew the connection Yinka and I shared. He was at all times a telephone name away.
“What manner of man did God give us in Yinka, son of Odumakin? Unlike many mortals made of topsoil dust, Yinka appeared to have been fashioned in the depths of the earth from gold dust. He was such a dynamic person. Only he acted from honesty and for the general good.”
Agbaje went on to say a number of the attributes of Odumakin: “Yinka had knowledge, information, understanding and imaginative and prescient. His analyses have been excellent. He had an uncanny grasp of Nigerian historical past and present affairs; about his native South-west, the Niger-Delta, the South-east, the Middle-Belt, and the dual wings of the core North. Odumakin’s community of connections was as formidable as his information of all.
“Governors shaped his retinue of pals. So have been electoral officers and safety brokers and journalists. So have been civil society organisations. He befriended the drivers of his pals and the chums of his drivers. He moved with the excessive and mighty however he was right down to earth with them. If they tousled on precept and compromised on agreed objectives, Yinka wasted no time in telling them off.
“He wielded his sword in all directions, cutting friends and foes alike with his truth. He was all about the message and cared very little about the messenger, was ready to work with anyone, for as long as they were on the same page with the message.”
He (Àgbaje) added that Yinka wouldn’t nevertheless ” “think twice about stepping back if the message no longer aligned. Any wonder over the years, at his on-and-off relationships with President Buhari, former Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan; Pa Ayo Adebanjo; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Afenifere Renewal Group and so many more.”
Another pal of the comrade who goes by the identify, Franklyn Ngwu, whereas quoting what an nameless 80-12 months-outdated man mentioned about Yinka reported that he was a great man with unquestionable, unrepentant and never-ending need for a greater Nigeria.
The aged man was quoted as saying, “He was one of the very few islands for Nigeria’s rectitude in a sea of ferocious national turpitude! With very few like him remaining, my hope for a better Nigeria was aflame. Now that he has transited, darkness gains and my departure is near. I do pray and hope, even though with hesitation, that all those pouring encomiums and tributes to Yinka would, in their quiet moment and respect for him, listen and do some of his views about our dear nation.”
Ngwu mentioned additional that, “In whole settlement with the above prayers, and deeply inspired by the pouring tributes, I reconfirmed a very powerful factor that Yinka laboured for. It was fairness and equity for a greater Nigeria. If the tributes being acquired are honest, the one manner we are able to actually pay our final respect to Yinka, significantly from our leaders, is to see that his prayers and needs for Nigeria are fulfilled. This will make his soul to actually relaxation in peace whereas perpetual mild shines upon him.
Yinka Odumakin’s selfless dedication to the pursuit of democracy, human rights, and social justice, little question, has cemented his place as an unforgotten hero in Nigeria’s historical past. It is when his legacies are preserved that it may be mentioned that Nigeria actually appreciates the comrade in him.
