The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has approved naming of a road in memory of the late spokesman of Afenifere, Yoruba Socio-Cultural Group, Yinka Odumakin who was buried Saturday in his hometown,Moro, the calmly rustic community in the northern fringes of Ile-Ife.
Penpushing reports that, the first class traditional ruler made the pronouncement at the burial service of the late activist, adding that while some have chosen to mourn the deceased he(Ooni) has opted to celebrate him
‘As a token from the House of Oduduwa, I have completed all prescribed protocol for the renaming of Ife-Moro road after you. It is now to be known officially as Olayinka Odumakin Boulevard’, Ooni disclosed.
The monarch said in addition to the road naming an ultra modern garden has been named after the late Odumakin in his(Ooni) privately owned Students Village in Obafemi Awolowo University where a dignified bronze bust will be unveiled in his eternal honor.
‘Similarly an ultra modern garden has been named in your honour in my privately owned Students Village in Obafemi Awolowo University where a dignified bronze bust will be unveiled in your eternal honor’, Ooni stated
Penpushing further reports that the monarch said Odumakin in death, as in life remain an unforgettable national personality who is so dear to the Yoruba race, noting the attestation of this consists in the heavy outpouring of grief across the nation at his sudden departure.
.‘While some have chosen to mourn your demise, the exalted throne of Oduduwa has opted to celebrate you my dear Peter Olayinka Odumakin. In death, as in life, you remain an unforgettable national personality who is so dear to us. Attestation of this consists in the heavy outpouring of grief across the nation at your sudden departure’, he added.
‘But for us in Ife kingdom, your birthplace and ancestral your home, we will rather celebrate an icon graciously given to us by Olodumare. You are not dead because you cannot be dead in our hearts’, Ooni emphasised.
‘You were not only a worthy son of the House of Oduduwa. You lived Oduduwa land. You breath Oduduwa. You worked tirelessly for Oduduwa. Your insightfully penetrative perspective on Yoruba cause is uncommon. Neither is your incisively biting criticism of our steps, delivered impassionately’,he added.
‘As the current occupier of the throne of Oduduwa, I cannot forget the many visits you made to your birthplace during which you were always at the Palace of Oonirisa. On one of the such visits recently, I raised concern about your health’,Ooni said’.
‘I suggested a prayer visit to the hallowed chamber of the spirits of our ancestors. You agreed. I was elated that indeed the end of your medical challenge was near. But alas! Instead of praying for yourself and particularly the restoration of your health you shocked me when you started praying for Yorubaland instead’,Ogunwusi recalled.
‘Emotion overwhelmed me as you stepped out of the spiritual cave. I felt like shredding your apparels. I almost bit you, even used my nails on your body, I wondered what manner of a man would cede his once in a lifetime chance with the spirits of our ancestors and Olodumare; owners of land , sea, air, space and heavens- to his race’.
Penpushing also reports that, the traditional ruler pointed out that late Odumakin was a gift to Moro community and Yoruba race, stressing that people across Oduduwa cannot appreciate him enough
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