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...urge govt to concentrate on impacting the life of an average citizen
By Dr Joe Okei Odumakin
Members of the human rights and pro-democracy group in Nigeria gathered at the prestigious Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Thursday, April 2, 2026 to reflect on the ideals and philosophy of Comrade Yinka Odumakin who was the Spokesperson of Afenifere.
Yinka Odumakin transited to the great beyond on April 2, 2021at the age of 54 leaving behind a legacy of service to nation and humanity at large.
Having been married to his fiery rights activist, the union was that of passion for nation building, social justice and democracy. In his absence, his better half, Dr. Joe Odumakin has kept the flames aglow by floating the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation, a legacy organisation that promotes, protects and propagates the ideals of the pro-democracy activist.
Speaking on the theme, "Can Nigeria’s Democracy work without Restructuring?" Femi Falana, SAN who was the Guest Speaker noted that restructuring has been going on in Nigeria. However the beneficiaries have been the presidents, governors and members of the ruling class.
Dissecting the present concentration of power at the centre, Falana made case for the devolution of power for a true federalism state.
Chairman of the Occasion, Iba Gani Adams , Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Land, paid glowing tributes to the life and times of Comrade Yinka Odumakin, describing him as a man committed to social justice and deepening of democracy. He pitched his tent with the proponents of state police, stressing on the danger inherent in the present security architecture of the country and the need for an urgent review.
President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ajaero Joe who was the Guest of Honour recounted the contributions of intellectuals, scholars, organised labour workers, leadership of students' association and other various non formal sector workers groups.
He lampooned the ruling class for her inability to tame hyper inflation that continues to diminish the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
Richard Akinnola II , Executive Director of Media Law Centre, noted that Odumakin was a conscience of the people, speaking truth to power and holding the ruling class accountable.
Renowned legal practitioner and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olumide Fusika-Adeyinka, added his voice in condemning the untold hardship and insecurity that has bedevilled the country, whereby the life of a human being does not matter anymore. "One would have expected the ruling class to be more concerned about proferring solutions but we have only experienced rice being shared here and there" he noted.
A former president of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS and the Executive Director of International Press Centre, IPC, Lanre Arogundade described the present day ruling class as being, wicked, clueless and excessively obsessed with power. He maintained that the government has no business in dictating to a political party how it should conduct its internal affairs like streamlining on how it should conduct its primary election. He further noted that public servants in the mold of Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Olabisi Onabanjo, Lateef Jakande, Balaraba Musa, Bola Ige et al were not given to primitive acquisition and accumulation of wealth at the expense of the masses that they sought to serve.
Comrades Oladosu Razaq and Dare Oludare Lasisi attested to the selflessness and generosity of Yinka Odumakin irrespective of political or ideological differences that he had with any of his comrades.
Omoyele Sowore founder of Sahara Reporters, in his remarks gave the warning that this government might be the one that will set the country up for a revolution with its high handedness and abuse of public trust.
Agba Jalingo lauded the president of Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation, Dr. Joe Odumakin for sustaining the legacy of her deceased Comrade.
Organiser of the event, DrJoe Okei Odumakin expressed her gratitude to the comrades of her deceased husband for standing by her.
She urged Nigerians not to give up on the country as she led a session of a minute silence for the victims of insecurity and terrorism across the country.
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