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The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has said the impact of its late spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin, will continue to be remembered .
Speaking during a condolence visit to the parents of the deceased at Moro, in Ife North Local Government Area, Osun State, Afenifere Deputy Leader, Oba Olaitan Oladipo, said that although Odumakin died young, ‘the impact he made was such that he will continue to be remembered for in a long time.”
“Life should be measured more by the impact a person made rather than by the number of years the person lived.Going by the impact he made through activism and his writings, it was was as though he lived for a hundred years,” Oba Olaitan said.
While consoling the bereaved family members, Oba Olaitan said that they should take consolation in the fact that Odumakin brought the name of the family to the limelight in a positive way.
While appreciating Afenifere for identifying with the family in its moment of grief, Odumakin’s elder brother, Jacob, disclosed that they were proud of the late activist and always prayed for him “especially when he did something or uttered statements deemed to be controversial.”
Jacob added that they were rather looking forward to Yinka bringing eminent personalities to Moro when their aged parents go the way of every mortal and they are to perform the funeral.
‘Unfortunately, Yinka left those aged parents to grieve his death,” Jacob lamented.
Afenifere assured the family that the organisation will continue to remember Yinka Odumakin.
Those that accompanied the Deputy Leader include the Chairman, Afenifere Ipinle Oyo, Dr Gbola Adetunji; State Secretary, Honourable Dauda Adam; Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi; Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo; Honourable Adesina Bashorun from Ogun State and Comrade Sola Lawal.
The team also paid a commiserating visit to the monarch of Moro, Oba Dr Abidoye Oyeniyi, in his palace and was received by the king’s wife, Olori Irene Oyeniyi.
Speaking on behalf of the monarch, Olori Oyeniyi said that the people of Moro including those of them in the palace found it difficult to believe that Odumakin was no more.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the acting leader of Afenifere led the team to Odumakin’s house in Lagos, to formally commiserate with the widow of the deceased, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin.
While condoling the widow, the acting leader commended Joe for the unflinching support she always gave her late husband. She was also lauded for the courage and forbearance she has been displaying following the passing away of her husband.
Chief Adebanjo assured Odumakin’s widow and children that Afenifere will never abandon them.
The late Odumakin, who was a journalist turned activist, was an indigene of Moro and the national publicity secretary of Afenifere until his demise on April 3.