On Thursday, April 22, a number of prominent Nigerians attended the late activist Yinka Odumakin’s lying-in-state ceremony at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, a former governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, and a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje, were among those who attended the ceremony.

Afenifere chief Pa Ayo Adebanjo, influential human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Mohammed Fawehinmi, were all present.

Nigeria has lost one of its most brave and patriotic men, and the Yoruba nation has lost an illustrious son, with the death of Yinka Odunmakin.

Yinka Odumakin was a hero in the pro-democracy movement, known for voicing truth to authority and championing the cause of justice and fairness – and he did so for decades until his death.

Representatives from a variety of civil society groups from around the world were in attendance. 

Odumakin died from COVID19-related complications at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital isolation centre on Friday, April 2.