Yinka Odumakin

Yinka Odumakin (10 December 1966 – 3 April 2021), was a Nigerian human rights activist and politician. Until his death, he was the national publicity secretary of Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.[1]

Peter Oluyinka Odumakin
Born(1966-12-10)10 December 1966
Moro, Ife North, Osun State, Nigeria
Died3 April 2021(2021-04-03) (aged 54)
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
Alma materObafemi Awolowo University,University of Ghana
Occupation(s)human rights activist and politician
Spouse
​
(m. 1997)​

Early life and education

Odumakin attended St. Augustine Primary School, Ondo State, before proceeding to CAC Grammar School, Edunabon, Osun State and Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife, Osun State. He graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Studies, and also graduated from University of Ghana.[2][3]

Career

Odumakin played a key role in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the government of Sani Abacha after the annulment of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election. He was among the spokespersons of the Southern and Middle Belt Leader's Forum (SMBLF). He was the spokesman of Muhammadu Buhari when he contested the 2011 Nigerian presidential election under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change. In 2014, during the government of Goodluck Jonathan, Odumakin and his wife were the only married couple among the 492-member 2014 National Conference which was held in Abuja, Nigeria. He was also a known critic of Muhammadu Buhari's government.[4][5][6]

Personal life

Odumakin hailed from Moro, Ife North, Osun State, Nigeria. During the government of Sani Abacha, he met his wife Joe Okei-Odumakin at a detention facility in Alagbon, after she was transferred from Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, due to her involvement in pro-democracy campaigns. They married on 4 November 1997.[7][8]

Death

Odumakin died from respiratory issues due to complications resulting from COVID-19 at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital on 3 April 2021.[9][1][10]

References
  1. "How my husband, Yinka Odumakin, died – Wife". Premium Times. 3 April 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  2. George, Taiwo (3 April 2021). "OBITUARY: Odumakin, Buhari's former spokesman, who made life a living hell for Bola Tinubu". Daily Trust Newspaper. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  3. Ndujihe, Clifford (3 April 2021). "Yinka Odumakin: Crusader of better Nigeria goes down fighting". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  4. "INTERVIEW: Though married, we're in National Conference as individuals – Joe Odumakin". Premium Times. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  5. Aliyu, Abdullateef (3 April 2021). "Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere Spokesman, Is Dead". Daily Trust Newspaper. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  6. Atoyebi, Olufemi (3 April 2021). "'We lost a gem' — politicians, activists pay tribute to Yinka Odumakin". TheCable. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  7. Adeniji, Gbenga (16 October 2016). "We call each other 'comrade' — Odumakins". The Punch Newspaper. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  8. Akinrefon, Dapo; Kumolu, Charles (13 April 2013). "17 times in detention, Joe Okei-Odumakin opens up: I met my husband in prison". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  9. "Wo ohun mẹ́wàá tó yẹ kí o mọ̀ nípa Yinka Odunmakin, agbẹnusọ Afenifere tó dágbére fáyé". BBC News Yorùbá (in Yoruba). 3 April 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  10. "Okei-Odumakin gives birth to twins at 55 -- six months after husband's death". TheCable. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
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