Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has donated N5million for the funeral of late Yinka Odumakin, an activist and Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.
The activist, age, 56 died on April 3.
The Civil Society and Pro-Democracy Movement Memorial Committee for the burial of Odumakin, announced this in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday.
Mr Bamiji Awa, the Secretary of the Planning Committee, said the governor also donated three buses, and an ambulance to the Odumakin solidarity memorial.
Awa said that the memorial was organised by the civil society and pro-democracy movement for the burial.
The remains of the late activist would be buried on Saturday at his Country Home, Moro in Osun state.
“The Lagos State Government has said they have specifically donated a sum of N5 million, three coaster buses, and one ambulance with heavy security back up toward ensuring success of the Solidarity Memorial initiated by comrades and associates of Yinka Odumakin”.
He also said that Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) donated N150, 000, Femi Falana, N100, 000, Gbenga Hashim, N150,000, and Chief John Nwodo, N100,000.
Others were Alhaji Shettima Yerima, President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, N50,000, the Afenifere Renewal Group, N125, 000), Agnes Sessi, Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State, N30,000 and others.
“This is for the celebration and immortalisation of the life and legacies of the departed as announced by the Civil Society Planning Team for Yinka Odumakin memorial”.
According to Awa, the state government is in consultation with the family of the deceased on the appropriate support to be provided to them during the three-day burial activities.
According to him, the funeral activities of the late spokesman for Afenifere will take place between Thursday and Saturday.
He said there would be lying-in-state at the Police College, Ikeja between 11 a.m and I p.m, while the service of songs and tributes would hold from 1p.m to 4 p.m, same venue.
According to him, tributes’ session for the late activist will also hold on Friday at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun between 1 p.m and 5 pm.
Awa said there would also be a candle light procession at 6 p.m on Friday at Moro, Osun, adding that the procession would begin from Moro to Ife Grand Resorts, near Oduduwa University.
The rights activist said that the fraternal solidarity, night musical gyration and tributes would also hold at Ife Grand Resorts, near Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife from 8p.m. same day.
According to him, there will also be a Lying-in-State at Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro at 8 a.m. on Saturday followed by private interment at the deceased’s Country Home, Moro, at 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, the wife of the late Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, has released the official funeral arrangements for the deceased.
The rights activist, in an announcement on behalf of the family, said the lying-in-state, tributes and service of songs would hold on Thursday at Police College, Ikeja from 11am.
“On Friday the body leaves Lagos State for his Moro country home in Ife North LGA in Osun State. In Moro, there will be a candlelight procession at Origbo Anglican Grammar School on Friday; take-off time is 6pm. There will be lying-in-state at 8am. on Saturday at Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro, followed by funeral service at 10am. after which his remains will be interred at a private ceremony”.
She urged everyone to be wary of other programmes which ran contrary to the one outlined so as to guide against being misled or taken advantage of.
“In the wake of sundry programmes being published by people other than us, we the family of the late Yinka Odumakin thought it fit and necessary to guide sympathizers and guests with the authentic programme for the funeral of our beloved husband, father, son, and brother”.
Okei-Odumakin also said the family had not mandated anyone or group to source for funds or other resources to ensure a befitting burial.
“While the family appreciates the effusive outpouring of love from the generality of the people for the life of sacrifice and public service that Yinka lived and the legacies he has left behind, we wish that nothing is done by anyone or group to tarnish his image”.
The late Afenifere spokesperson, 54, died on April 2, after battling with respiratory problems occasioned by COVID-19 complications.
