SOJI AJIBOLA, Ibadan
Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has described the death of the National Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, as a personal loss and a great loss to the Yoruba race.
Makinde said the news of Odumakin’s passage came as a rude shock and leaves him in a sad mood.
Governor Makinde was quoted in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa that the demise of Odumakin has created a big vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
He commiserated with Dr Joe-Okei Odumakin, wife of the late Afenifere chieftain, members of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group and the entire Yoruba nation.
He described the late Afenifere spokesman as a true Yoruba son, who embodied the ethos of Omoluabi, a dogged and true fighter of the Yoruba cause and an advocate of good governance.
The governor said: “Words failed me as I accept the news of the death of a wonderful brother and friend, a true Yoruba son and a true fighter of the cause of our nation, Yinka Odumakin.
“This is a personal loss to me, a huge loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria, because Odumakin, apart from being a true Yoruba son and an embodiment of the Omoluabi ethos, is an advocate of good governance and true federalism.
“I commiserate with his dear wife, Dr Joe-Okei Odumakin, the Afenifere family and the entire Yoruba nation on the death of a true son and friend of the Yoruba nation and I pray to God to grant everyone of us the fortitude to bear this loss.
“While we submit to the will of God Almighty, who retains the right to spare or to kill any mortal, we are convinced that values and ideals that Odumakin fought for in his lifetime have not died with him.”