Yinka Odumakin, long-time spokesperson of the leading Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has passed on after a long battle with COVID-19.
A close friend familiar with the development, confirmed this development to The Trent on Saturday, April 3, 2021.
Odumakin, 59, we learnt, had suffered a terrible case of coronavirus. He had been on a ventilator for more than 20 days prior to his passing.
“He had a terrible case of diabetes which made his coronavirus infection worse,” the source, who didn’t wish to be named due to the sensitivity of the situation told our newspaper. “He was on a ventilator for more than 20 days. It was a bad case.”
According to our source, Yinka had battled with COVID for more than two months and first received treatment in Osun State and was later moved to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja (LASUTH).
“We were keeping his health situation out of the media,” the source said.
Until his passing, Yinka Odumakin was the national publicity secretary of Afenifere. He was married to an iconic human rights activist, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and they have a son.
Dr. Okei-Odumakin, the president of Women Arise for Change and the Campaign for Democracy, confirmed the passing of her husband in a statement on Saturday.
“With gratitude to the Supreme Being for a life well spent, I announce the passing on of my beloved husband, Comrade Yinka Odumakin to the great beyond after a brief illness,” the statement read.
“The sad event happened this morning (Saturday, 3/4 /2021) at the intensive care unit of LASUTH where he was being managed for respiratory issues due to complications from COVID-19 which he had recovered from about a week ago.
“I appreciate the outpouring of grief and sympathy from home and abroad as I mourn my irreplaceable soulmate. I urge us all to remain steadfast in the cause of the masses to which he dedicated his life,” said.
She announced that burial arrangements would be communicated later.
