The remains of late Yinka Odumakin, Spokesman of Pan-Yoruba Sociocultural group, Afenifere, will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 24, the family of the late activist has announced.
Odumakin who died on Friday, April 2, was aged 59.
In a statement issued by his widow, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, on Monday, the family said the three-day burial rites would start from Thursday, April 22 till Saturday, April 24.
“Thursday, April 22: Day of Tributes and Service of Songs at the Police College, Ikeja Lagos between 11 am and 4 pm while his body lies in state.
“Friday, April 23: Body departs Lagos for Moro, his country home, in Ife North LGA of Osun State.
“There will be a Christian wake keep by 5 pm at the Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro, to be followed by a candlelight procession on Friday.
“Saturday, April 24: Lying in State at Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro by 8 am, followed by a Funeral Service by 10 am, after which his remains will be committed to Mother Earth at a private interment,” the statement read.
The late Odumakin was an integral part of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, that fought the regime of General Sani Abacha after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
He was also among the voices that led campaign for the recognition of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of Chief MKO Abiola, self-acclaimed winner of the June 12 election.
His death has however generated controversies, as there have been insinuations that it was not natural.
In the light of this, a group, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, CAGG, had urged the Nigerian Police Force to conduct a full scale investigation into the circumstances around his death.