The Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin is dead.

He died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) after a brief illness.

The death of the Afenifere spokesman, which was reported to have occurred at the LASUTH isolation centre was confirmed by his wife, Mrs Joe Okei-Odumakin.

The wife said, “A part of me is gone. A part of me is gone. He fought hard at the intensive care unit. Pray for me to survive this. My love is gone.

“He was OK before. Even on March 10, he was still attending meetings. He was recovering yesterday but he died this morning. I am at the intensive care unit. A part of me is gone.”

Also confirming his death, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo,  said, ‘’Yinka’s death is a personal loss to me. Himself and the wife, Joe, have been my long-time friends and allies. I knew them separately before they met and got married. I just called the wife’s line and they’re still at the hospital. My deepest condolences to Josephine and the Odumakin family.’’

Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afẹ́nifẹ́re, has also confirmed that Yinka Odumakin passed away due to complications from COVID-19.

“It is with extreme sadness and sorrow that The Afẹ́nifẹ́re regret to announce the passing away of our Publicity Secretary Mr Yinka Odumakin which occurred on the 3rd day of April, 2021,” a statement from Afẹ́nifẹ́re, signed by its General Secretary, Mr Sola Ebiseni, said.

“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.”

The statement lauded Mr Odumakin’s character and praised him for his selfless service to the Yoruba body.

“Our organisation which is 70 years old this very month has had the services of our Dear Publicity Secretary for 17 years, uninterrupted, unbroken,” it said.

“He served The Afẹ́nifẹ́re with all his might, power, intellect and soul. Steadfast, Forthright unalloyed!

“Mr Yinka Odumakin was a heart of loyalty personified. We will miss him. The Yorùbá that the Afẹ́nifẹ́re he  served, will miss him. The nation Nigeria at these times needs him and will miss his invaluable services at these most difficult times of our debilitating challenges.

“On behalf of our Leader and Leader of The Yorùbá, the Afẹ́nifẹ́re extend our condolences to his immediate family We admit, endurance is an elusive virtue at these difficult times, but we counsel the family to embrace Fortitude at these trying times.”